Wearable items providing physiological, environmental and situational parameter monitoring

ABSTRACT

A garment and/or garment system with health-monitoring (e.g., cardiovascular monitoring) capability, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/492,278, filed Jul. 25, 2006, and titled “Mobile Communication Deviceand Other Devices with Cardiovascular Monitoring Capability”, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety byreference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

SEQUENCE LISTING

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A substantial portion of cardiovascular and other health-relatedproblems exhibit detectable symptoms. In various scenarios where anindividual is being monitored, medical assistance may be obtained basedon monitored physiological characteristics before a particular healthissue becomes fatal.

Present cardiovascular and other types of health monitoring systems arecumbersome and inconvenient (e.g., impractical for everyday use).Additionally, in many fatal incidents (e.g., incidents involving variouscardiovascular pathologies), the individual had no prior knowledge ofserious health issues that would have caused the individual to seekmedical assistance and possibly obtain dedicated health monitoring (e.g.heart monitoring) apparatus. Further, in many health-monitoringscenarios, physiological characteristics are monitored and analyzed outof context, leading to misdiagnosis.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention provide a garment and/orgarment system with health-monitoring (e.g., cardiovascular monitoring)capability. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features ofthe present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspectsthereof, will be more fully understood from the following descriptionand drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., full bodysuit) health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., partialbody suit) health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspectsof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., shirt)health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g.,short-sleeve shirt) health-monitoring system, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., shirt andpants) health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspects ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g.,short-sleeve shirt) health-monitoring system, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g.,short-sleeve shirt) health-monitoring system, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., body suitand socks) health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspectsof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., body suit)health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., body suit)health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., shirt)health-monitoring system, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method (e.g., in agarment system) for acquiring and/or processing electrocardiograminformation of a user, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method (e.g., in agarment system) for acquiring and/or processing health information of auser, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method (e.g., in agarment system) for acquiring and/or processing health information of auser, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary processing systemoperable to acquire and/or process health information (e.g., in agarment system), in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary health analysis system,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary health analysis system,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention may, for example, includeand/or utilize various sensors that are integrated into one or moregarments. Such garments may, for example, generally correspond toarticles of clothing that a person may wear throughout the course oftypical life activities (e.g., sleeping, eating, walking, working,exercising, watching television, doing household chores, traveling,socializing, etc.). Such garments do not necessarily need to behealth-care specific garments (e.g., a hospital gown, a specific garmentworn in a hospital in a control environment for a specific test, etc.).For example and without limitation, such garments may comprise: a fullor partial body suit, a long-sleeve shirt, short-sleeve shirt,sleeveless shirt, pants, shorts, socks, swimwear, a sports bra,undergarments, a wet suit, thermal wear, a glove, and so on. Variousaspects of the present invention may also apply to protective gear, forexample, as may be worn during performing hazardous jobs (e.g., a hardhat, body armor, etc.), participating in risky recreational, sporting,law enforcement, or military activities, etc. (e.g., a ball glove,hockey glove, a helmet, sports padding, male/female protective gear,joint braces, flak jacket or ballistic vest, eyewear, etc.).

The integrated sensors may comprise and/or comprise characteristics ofany of a variety of different types of sensors, signals from which maybe analyzed to ascertain health. Such sensors may, for example, comprisephysiological sensors that operate to monitor physiologicalcharacteristics of a person (or subject). Such physiological sensorsmay, for example and without limitation, comprise: heart monitoringsensors (e.g., heart-rate monitoring sensors, electrocardiogram (ECG orEKG) sensors), body temperature sensors, breath-rate/respiration sensors(e.g., pressure-based (e.g., material stress, air pressure/bladder,etc.), acoustic-based, etc.), skin conductivity sensors, oxygensaturation sensors, blood perfusion sensors, etc.).

Such sensors may also, for example, comprise non-physiological sensorsthat operate to monitor characteristics other than physiologicalcharacteristics of the subject. Such non-physiological sensors may, forexample, comprise environmental sensors that operate to monitor aspectsof the environment in which a subject is performing a task. For exampleand without limitation, such environmental sensors may comprise: airtemperature sensors, air speed sensors, humidity sensors, air oxygenlevel sensors, barometric pressure sensors, altitude/elevation sensors,precipitation sensors, light sensors, location sensors/systems (e.g.,global positioning system (GPS) sensors, terrestrial triangulationsensors/systems (e.g., cellular communication system based, premisesbased, campus based, etc.)), time sensors (e.g., time change and/orabsolute time), orientation sensors, etc.

Such non-physiological sensors may also, for example, comprisesituational sensors that operate to monitor characteristics of aphysical situation (e.g., a task or activity) in which the subject isengaged. Such situation (or activity) sensors may, for example andwithout limitation, comprise: weight sensors, impact sensors, forcesensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, inclinometers, motionsensors, speed and/or velocity sensors, etc.

The manner in which the various sensors are incorporated into a garmentdepend on the nature of the particular sensors. For example, a sensor(or portions thereof) may be attached to a garment after the baregarment is manufactured. In an exemplary scenario, a sensor may besnapped, adhered and/or sewn to an already completed garment. In suchscenario, portions of a sensor that need (or prefer) direct contact withthe subject skin may be secured to the inside of the garment. Forexample, a conductive button may be positioned to contact the skin ofthe subject, conductive fibers and/or protrusions may be sewn into thegarment to contact the skin of the subject, etc. Also, in such ascenario, portions of a sensor that need not contact the subject's skinmay be positioned away from the skin to reduce irritation. Further, insuch a scenario, a general-sized garment may be utilized, while sensorplacement may be customized to a particular subject (e.g., as opposed tocustom garment production for a particular subject). Such a scenarioprovides flexibility for positioning particular placement-sensitivesensors (e.g., at least some ECG sensors) at locations suited for aparticular subject (or user).

In other exemplary scenarios, particular sensors (or portions thereof)may be formed into the garment while the garment is being formed. Insuch a scenario, conductive pads and/or fibers may be incorporated intothe garment during manufacture of the garment. In various scenarios inwhich location of the sensor need not be precise (e.g., a skintemperature sensor, location sensor, etc.), such sensors may beincorporated into the garment during manufacture in a one-size-fits-allor one-size-fits-many design. In such a scenario, location-criticalsensors may be added later for a particular subject.

In another exemplary scenario, the specifications for a garment andsensor placement may be customized for a particular subject, and suchspecifications may then be provided to a manufacturer of the garment forcustomized production of the garment.

In still another exemplary scenario, a form-fitting garment may beproduced that comprises a generic matrix of conductive regions thatcontact the skin of the subject. Such conductive regions may, forexample, be formed by alternating fabric regions of conductive andnon-conductive material. As a non-limiting example, an entire garmentmay be formed of non-conductive material and then conductive fibers maybe woven into the fabric to create the matrix of conductive regions. Insuch a scenario, an optimum set of conductive regions may then beselected after production (e.g., by a health-care professional), andsuch conductive regions may then be utilized as skin contact points forselected sensors and/or conductively connected to form conductivepathways in the garment.

Various garment sensors may, for example, be self-contained sensorscomprising their own respective power supply and their own respectivecommunication circuitry. Such sensors may, for example, operate towirelessly communicate sensor information to a processor. In such ascenario, a conductive coupling need not be incorporated into thegarment for such sensor.

Various other garment sensors, however, may require and/or preferutilization of conductive paths (e.g., for power supply, for measuringelectrical characteristics between two points, for communicatinginformation, for reducing signal noise relative to wireless RFcommunication, etc.). For such sensors, leads (e.g., wire leads,conductive fiber leads, etc.) may be woven into the garment, run viagarment seams, etc. As a non-limiting example, various portions of thefollowing discussion may include discussion of ECG sensors (or contacts)incorporated into a garment. Since ECG analysis includes analyzingdifferences in electrical potential between various skin contact points(or electrodes), connections to such skin contact points may be formedin the garment for convenient access In general, conductive paths may beformed into the garment (e.g., utilizing conductive fiber) to assist inmeasuring such differences in electrical potential.

Various garment sensors may, for example, require (or prefer) consistentand firm conductive contact with the subject's skin. For example, suchoperation is characteristic of ECG electrodes. For such sensors (orelectrodes), the garment (e.g., in addition to being form-fitting or inlieu of being form-fitting) may comprise regions of extra elasticityformed to enhance the stability and contact of such sensors with thesubject's skin. As a non-limiting example, six electrodes for a 12-leadECG run across the chest of the subject. One or more regions of extraelasticity may be formed in the garment to ensure that each of suchsensors adequately contacts and remains in contact with the chest of theuser. Similarly, the limb electrodes of the 12-lead ECG may be securedby the incorporation of respective regions of extra elasticity in agarment (e.g., an arm/wrist band, a leg/ankle band, etc.).

Additionally, various garment sensors may be shaped, positioned orformed in any of a variety of manners, depending on the nature of theparticular sensor. For example, some sensor surfaces (e.g., electrodes)may generally comprise conductive material. For example, an electrodemay comprise a metallic surface exposed for user contact. Also forexample, an electrode may be formed from conductive plastic (or anothermaterial) that may be integrated into various molded components of themobile communication device. For example, various conductive plastics(e.g., graphite-impregnated plastic or the like) may provide sufficientconductivity for an electrode to perform adequately. It should berecognized that the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of particular electrodes orelectrode placements unless explicitly claimed.

Electrodes (or other sensors) may be shaped, positioned or formed withvarious physical features to enhance collection of cardiovascularinformation from a user. For example and without limitation, anelectrode may comprise one or more projections to enhance conductivecontact with a user. Also, an electrode may comprise one or moredepressions or indentations to enhance conductive contact with a user.

Electrodes may also be identified for the user in any of a variety ofmanners or may be generally concealed from the user. For example, anelectrode may comprise a visible or tactile indicium to indicate thelocation of the electrode to a user. Alternatively, a sensor may beintegrated into a garment in a manner that is generally unnoticeable toa wearer of the garment.

The following discussions of FIGS. 1-11 will now provide variousnon-limiting examples of garment/sensor configurations. It should benoted that such examples are for illustrative purposes only and are notmeant to be limiting. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by characteristics of any ofsuch examples unless explicitly claimed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., comprisinga full body suit) health-monitoring system 100, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system 100comprises a garment 101. The garment 101 comprises characteristics of afull-body suit (e.g., which may or may not comprise gloves, socks and ahood).

The garment comprises a plurality of ECG sensors (or electrodes)integrated with the garment 101. For example, the garment 101 comprisesten sensors (or electrodes) disposed at locations generally associatedwith a twelve-lead ECG. Such sensors comprise a series of six chest (ortorso) sensors 110. Such chest sensors 110 may, for example, comprise aV₁ sensor (or electrode) disposed in the fourth intercostal space(between ribs 4 and 5) just to the right of the sternum of a subjectwhen the garment 101 is worn by the subject, a V₂ sensor disposed in thefourth intercostal space (between ribs 4 and 5) just to the left of thesternum of a subject when the garment 101 is worn by the subject, a V₃sensor disposed between sensors V₂ and V₄, a V₄ sensor disposed in thefifth intercostal space between ribs 5 and 6) in the mid-clavicular lineof a subject when the garment 101 is worn by the subject, a V₅ sensordisposed horizontally even with the V₄ sensor and in the anterioraxillary line of a subject when the garment 101 is worn by the subject,and a V₆ sensor disposed horizontally even with V₄ and V₅ in themidaxillary line of a subject when the garment 101 is worn by thesubject. As discussed above, the ECG sensors (or electrodes) arepositioned in the garment 101 at such locations and the garment isformed in such a manner (e.g., with the appropriate form-fittingelasticity) that conductive electrodes are generally in constant contactwith the skin of the subject wearing the garment 101.

The garment 101 also comprises a plurality of ECG limb sensors. Forexample, the garment 101 comprises a RA electrode 121 disposed on theright arm of the garment 101 (e.g., near the right wrist) and a LAelectrode 122 disposed on the left arm of the garment 101 (e.g., nearthe left wrist). Also for example, the garment 101 comprises a RLelectrode 131 on the right leg of the garment 101 (e.g., near the rightankle) and a LL electrode 132 disposed on the left leg of the garment101 (e.g., near the left ankle).

Each of the ECG electrodes 110, 121, 122, 131 and 132 are conductivelycoupled (e.g., utilizing conductive fiber and/or wire) to a centrallocation 150 on the garment 101 at which the respective electrodes mayeach be conveniently accessed (e.g., individually and/or in aggregate)by measurement and/or processing circuitry. For example, ECG analysiscomprises measuring differences in electrical potential between variouselectrodes. Note that sensors (e.g., electrodes or others) may also beincorporated into the back of the garment. For example, dorsal ECGsensors may be added as desired.

In an exemplary scenario, the central location 150 may comprise acommunication hub by which measurement circuitry may electrically accessthe electrodes. In another exemplary scenario, circuitry that operatesto measure such electrical potential may be disposed on the garment 101at the central location 150. Such circuitry may then, for example,operate to communicate information of such measurements to othercircuitry (e.g., also disposed at the central location 150, disposedelsewhere on the garment, or located off-garment) for analysis and/orcommunication to other circuitry.

In an additional exemplary scenario, circuitry that operates to measuresuch electrical potential may be disposed on the garment 101 at thecentral location 150. Circuitry that operates to analyze such ECGmeasurement results and produce ECG data may also be disposed on thegarment 101 at the central location 150. Such analysis circuitry maythen, for example, operate to communicate information of suchmeasurements to other circuitry (e.g., also disposed at the centrallocation 150, disposed elsewhere on the garment, or located off-garment)for analysis and/or communication to other circuitry.

In yet another exemplary scenario, circuitry that operates to measuresuch electrical potential may be disposed on the garment 101 at thecentral location 150. Circuitry that operates to analyze such ECGmeasurement results and produce ECG data may also be disposed on thegarment 101 at the central location 150. Circuitry that operates toanalyze the ECG data (e.g., in a manner discussed later with regard toFIGS. 12-14) may also be disposed on the garment 101 at the centrallocation 150 or at another location. For example, any or all components(or modules) of the system 1500 illustrated at FIG. 15 may be sodisposed. Additionally, central location 150 may also, for example,comprise a power supply (e.g., a battery) or be conductively coupled toa power supply (e.g., a power supply integrated into the garment 101and/or off-garment).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., comprisinga partial body suit) health-monitoring system 200, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The system 200 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics of the exemplary system 100illustrated at FIG. 1 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 200 comprises a garment 201. The garment 201comprises a plurality of ECG sensors (or electrodes) integrated into thegarment 201. For example, the garment 201 comprises ten sensors (orelectrodes) disposed at locations generally associated with atwelve-lead ECG. Such sensors comprise a series of six chest (or torso)sensors 210. Such chest sensors 210 may, for example, be disposed on thegarment 201 in the same manner as discussed with regard to the chestsensors 110 and the garment 101 of FIG. 1.

The garment 201 also comprises a plurality of ECG limb sensors. Forexample, the garment 201 comprises a RA electrode 221 disposed on theright arm of the garment 201 (e.g., on the right upper arm) and a LAelectrode 222 disposed on the left arm of the garment 201 (e.g., on theleft upper arm). Also for example, the garment 201 comprises a RLelectrode 231 on the right leg of the garment 201 (e.g., near the rightthigh) and a LL electrode 232 disposed on the left leg of the garment201 (e.g., near the left thigh).

Each of the ECG electrodes 210, 221, 222, 231 and 232 are conductivelycoupled (e.g., utilizing conductive fiber and/or wire) to a centrallocation 250 on the garment 201 at which the respective electrodes mayeach be conveniently accessed by measurement and/or processingcircuitry. As discussed with regard to the central location 150 of thegarment 101 of FIG. 1, the central location 150 may comprise acommunication hub by which measurement circuitry may electrically accessthe electrodes, communication circuitry that operates to communicate ECGmeasurement signals and/or data to other circuitry, analysis circuitryto analyze ECG measurement data and/or communication circuitry tocommunicate with other circuitry regarding analysis results. The centrallocation 250 may also, for example, comprise a power supply (e.g., abattery) and/or a conductive coupling to a power supply.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., shirt)health-monitoring system 300, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The system 300 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics of the exemplary systems 100 and 200 illustrated atFIGS. 1-2 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 300 comprises a garment 301. The garment 301comprises a plurality of ECG sensors (or electrodes) integrated into thegarment 301. For example, the garment 301 comprises eight sensors (orelectrodes) disposed at locations generally associated with atwelve-lead ECG minus the two leg sensors. Such sensors comprise aseries of six chest (or torso) sensors 310. Such chest sensors 310 may,for example, be disposed on the garment 301 in the same manner asdiscussed with regard to the chest sensors 110 and garment 101 of FIG.1.

The garment 301 also comprises a plurality of ECG limb sensors. Forexample, the garment 301 comprises a RA electrode 321 disposed on theright arm of the garment 301 (e.g., near the right wrist) and a LAelectrode 322 disposed on the left arm of the garment 301 (e.g., nearthe left wrist). As discussed above, the garment 301 does not includeECG leg sensors. As such, external ECG leg sensors may be utilized for acomplete 12-lead ECG analysis, or a less-than-12-lead ECG analysis maybe performed utilizing just the electrodes of the garment 301.

Each of the ECG electrodes 310, 321 and 322 are conductively coupled(e.g., utilizing conductive fiber and/or wire) to a central location 350on the garment 301 at which the respective electrodes may each beconveniently accessed by measurement and/or processing circuitry. Asdiscussed with regard to the central location 150 of the garment 101 ofFIG. 1, the central location 350 may comprise a communication hub bywhich measurement circuitry may electrically access the electrodes,communication circuitry that operates to communicate ECG measurementsignals and/or data to other circuitry, analysis circuitry to analyzeECG measurement data and/or communication circuitry to communicate withother circuitry regarding analysis results. The central location 350 mayalso, for example, comprise a power supply (e.g., a battery) and/or aconductive coupling to a power supply.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g.,short-sleeve shirt) health-monitoring system 400, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The system 400 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics of the exemplary systems 100,200 and 300 illustrated at FIGS. 1-3 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 400 comprises a garment 401. The garment 401comprises a plurality of ECG sensors (or electrodes) integrated into thegarment 401. For example, the garment 401 comprises eight sensors (orelectrodes) disposed at locations generally associated with atwelve-lead ECG minus the two leg sensors. Such sensors comprise aseries of six chest (or torso) sensors 410. Such chest sensors 410 may,for example, be disposed on the garment 401 in the same manner asdiscussed with regard to the chest sensors 110 and garment 101 of FIG.1.

The garment 401 also comprises a plurality of ECG limb sensors. Forexample, the garment 401 comprises a RA electrode 421 disposed on theright arm of the garment 201 (e.g., at the right upper arm) and a LAelectrode 422 disposed on the left arm of the garment 201 (e.g., at theleft upper arm). As discussed above, the garment 401 does not includeECG leg sensors. As such, external ECG leg sensors may be utilized for acomplete 12-lead ECG analysis, or a less-than-12-lead ECG analysis maybe performed utilizing just sensors of the garment 401.

Each of the ECG electrodes 410, 421 and 422 are conductively coupled(e.g., utilizing conductive fiber and/or wire) to a central location 450on the garment 401 at which the respective electrodes may each beconveniently accessed by measurement and/or processing circuitry. Asdiscussed with regard to the central location 150 of the garment 101 ofFIG. 1, the central location 450 may comprise a communication hub bywhich measurement circuitry may electrically access the electrodes,communication circuitry that operates to communicate ECG measurementsignals and/or data to other circuitry, analysis circuitry to analyzeECG measurement data and/or communication circuitry to communicate withother circuitry regarding analysis results. The central location 450 mayalso, for example, comprise a power supply (e.g., a battery) or aconductive coupling to a power supply.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., shirt andpants) health-monitoring system 500, in accordance with various aspectsof the present invention. The system 500 may, for example, share any orall characteristics of the exemplary systems 100, 200, 300 and 400illustrated at FIGS. 1-4 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 500 comprises a first garment 501 and a secondgarment 502. The first garment 501 and the second garment 502 eachcomprise a respective plurality of ECG sensors (or electrodes)integrated into such garments. For example, the first garment 501comprises eight sensors (or electrodes) disposed at locations generallyassociated with a twelve-lead ECG minus the two leg sensors. Suchsensors comprise a series of six chest (or torso) sensors 510. Suchchest sensors 510 may, for example, be disposed on the first garment 501in the same manner as discussed with regard to the chest sensors 110 andgarment 101 of FIG. 1.

The first garment 501 also comprises a plurality of ECG limb sensors.For example, the first garment 501 comprises a RA electrode 521 disposedon the right arm of the first garment 501 (e.g., near the right wrist)and a LA electrode 522 disposed on the left arm of the first garment 501(e.g., near the left wrist). The first garment 501 does not include ECGleg sensors. As such, external ECG leg sensors may be utilized for acomplete 12-lead ECG analysis, or a less-than-12-lead ECG analysis maybe performed utilizing only the ECG sensors of the first garment 501.The second garment 502, however, comprises the two ECG leg sensorsintegrated with the second garment 502. For example, the second garment502 comprises a RL electrode 531 disposed on the right leg of the secondgarment 502 (e.g., near the right ankle) and a LL electrode 532 disposedon the left leg of the second garment 502 (e.g., near the left leg).

Each of the ECG electrodes 510, 521 and 522 on the first garment 501 areconductively coupled (e.g., utilizing conductive fiber and/or wire) to acentral location 550 on the first garment 501 at which the respectiveelectrodes may each be conveniently accessed by measurement and/orprocessing circuitry. Additionally, each of the leg electrodes 531 and532 on the second garment 501 are also conductively coupled to thecentral location 550 on the first garment 501 at which the respectiveelectrodes may each be conveniently accessed by measurement and/orprocessing circuitry. For example, first garment 501 comprises an upperright terminal 571 and an upper left terminal 581 that are conductivelycoupled to the central location 550 on the first garment 501, and thesecond garment 502 comprises a lower right terminal 572 that isconductively coupled to the LL electrode 532 and a lower left terminal582 that is conductively coupled to the RL electrode 532. A rightconductive link 573 conductively couples the upper right terminal 571and lower right terminal 572 thereby conductively coupling the RLelectrode 531 to the central location 550, and a left conductive link583 conductively couples the upper left terminal 581 and the lower leftterminal 582 thereby conductively coupling the LL electrode 532 to thecentral location 550. The conductive links 573 and 583 may be formed inany of a variety of manners (e.g., via metal clips and conductors, viaVelcro and conductive plastics, etc.).

As discussed with regard to the central location 150 of the garment 101of FIG. 1, the central location 550 may comprise a communication hub bywhich measurement circuitry may electrically access the individualelectrodes, communication circuitry that operates to communicate ECGmeasurement signals and/or data to other circuitry, analysis circuitryto analyze ECG measurement data and/or communication circuitry tocommunicate with other circuitry regarding analysis results. The centrallocation 550 may also, for example, comprise a power supply (e.g., abattery) and/or a conductive coupling to a power supply.

The previous discussion of FIGS. 1-5 focused on ECG sensors (orelectrodes) and the communication and/or processing associatedtherewith. Such focus on ECG sensors was for illustrative purposes only.As such, the scope of various aspects of the present invention shouldnot be limited to ECG sensors, communicating and/or processing unlessexplicitly claimed. For example, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention applies equally well to any of a variety of differenttypes of sensors (e.g., individually and/or in combination with othertypes of sensors). The following discussion of FIGS. 6-11 will providenon-limiting examples of various sensor combinations. For example, agarment based health-monitoring system may utilize any of a largevariety of different types of sensors (e.g., combinations of differenttypes of physiological sensors, combinations of physiological sensors,environmental sensors and/or situational sensors, etc.). Non-limitingexamples of such different types of sensors were provided above.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g.,short-sleeve shirt) health-monitoring system 600, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The system 600 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics of the exemplary systems 100,200, 300, 400 and 500 illustrated at FIGS. 1-5 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 600 comprises a garment 601. The garment 601comprises a plurality of ECG sensors (or electrodes) integrated into thegarment 601. For example, the garment 601 comprises eight sensors (orelectrodes) disposed at locations generally associated with atwelve-lead ECG minus the two leg sensors. Such sensors comprise aseries of six chest (or torso) sensors and two arm sensors as discussedwith the exemplary garment 401 illustrated in FIG. 4.

The garment 601 also comprises other sensors in addition to ECG sensors.For example, the garment 601 comprises a body temperature sensor 661that operates to measure the body temperature of a wearer of the garment601. Though the body temperature sensor 661 is illustrated on the chestof the garment 601 for illustrative clarity, such sensor 661 may bepositioned anywhere on the garment 601 or off the garment 601, dependingon the type of body temperature monitoring desired. The body temperaturesensor 661 may be communicatively coupled to the central location 650 ofthe garment 601 (e.g., for communication and/or electrical power).

The garment 601 additionally comprises a breath rate (or respirationrate) sensor 662. The breath rate sensor 662 operates to measure thebreath rate (or respiration rate) of a wearer of the garment 601. Such asensor 662 may, for example and without limitation, be based onmechanical stress, air bladder pressure, acoustic monitoring, etc.).Though the breath rate sensor 662 is illustrated as a chest band of thegarment 601 for illustrative clarity, such sensor 662 may be positionedanywhere on the garment 601 (e.g., near the throat, at the abdomen,etc.) or off the garment 601, depending on the type of respirationmonitoring desired. The breath rate sensor 662 may be communicativelycoupled to the central location 650 of the garment 601 (e.g., forcommunication and/or electrical power).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g.,short-sleeve shirt) health-monitoring system 700, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The system 700 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics of the exemplary systems 100,200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 illustrated at FIGS. 1-6 and discussedpreviously.

The exemplary system 700 comprises a garment 701. The garment 701comprises a plurality of ECG sensors (or electrodes) integrated into thegarment 701. For example, the garment 701 comprises eight sensors (orelectrodes) disposed at locations generally associated with atwelve-lead ECG minus the two leg sensors. Such sensors comprise aseries of six chest (or torso) sensors and two arm sensors as discussedwith the exemplary garment 401 illustrated in FIG. 4.

The garment 701 also comprises other sensors in addition to ECG sensors.For example, the garment 701 comprises a body temperature sensor 761that operates to measure the body temperature of a wearer of the garment701. Though the body temperature sensor 761 is illustrated on the chestof the garment 701 for illustrative clarity, such sensor 761 may bepositioned anywhere on the garment 701 or off the garment 701, dependingon the type of body temperature monitoring desired. The body temperaturesensor 761 may be communicatively coupled to the central location 750 ofthe garment 701 (e.g., for communication and/or electrical power).

The garment 701 additionally comprises an air sensor 762 that operatesto measure temperature and humidity of the air in which the wearer ofthe garment 701 is located. Though the air sensor 762 is illustratednear the waste of the garment 701 for illustrative clarity, such sensor762 may be positioned anywhere on the garment 701 (e.g., on theshoulder, on the back, on a relatively loose portion of the garment 701away from the wearer's body, etc.) or off the garment 701, depending onthe type of air monitoring desired. In an exemplary configuration, anextra layer of thermally insulative fabric and/or a moisture isolationlayer may be disposed on the garment 701 between the sensor 762 and thebody of the garment wearer to reduce the impact of body temperatureand/or moisture on the air sensor measurements. The air sensor 762 maybe communicatively coupled to the central location 750 of the garment701 (e.g., for communication and/or electrical power).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., body suitand socks) health-monitoring system 800, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The system 800 may, for example, shareany or all characteristics of the exemplary systems 100-700 illustratedat FIGS. 1-7 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 800 comprises a first garment 801 (e.g., a bodysuit) and a second garment 802 (e.g., a sock). The first garment 801 andthe second garment 802 each comprise health sensors integrated into thegarments 801 and 802. For example, the first garment 801 comprises ECGsensors 810, 821, 822, 831 and 832, which may share any or allcharacteristics with similar sensors 110, 121, 122, 131 and 132 of thegarment 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously. Also forexample, the first garment 801 comprises a body temperature sensor 861and breath rate (or respiratory rate) sensor 862, which may share any orall characteristics with similar sensors 661 and 662 of the garment 601illustrated in FIG. 6 and discussed previously. The exemplary sensors ofthe first garment 801 may, for example, be conductively and/orcommunicatively coupled to the central location 850 for access to suchsensors by monitoring, analyzing and/or communicating circuitry, and/orfor access to electrical power if needed.

As discussed previously, health analysis may comprise analyzing signalsassociated with any of a variety of different types of sensors incombination. As another illustration of such combination, the secondgarment 802 comprises an impact sensor 881 that operates to determinestepping rate and/or force. Such a sensor 881 may, for example, provideinsight into the type of activity in which the wearer of the secondgarment 802 is engaging. The sensor 881 is coupled to a wirelesstransmitter 882, which operates to communicate information from theimpact sensor 881 to another system component for analysis. As will bediscussed in more detail later, such a wireless transmitter 882 mayoperate in accordance with any of a variety of standard and/or proprietycommunication protocols. In an exemplary scenario, a processingcomponent may operate to access cardiac sensor information, bodytemperature information and breath rate information at the centrallocation 850 and operate to access impact sensor information from thewireless transmitter 882 wirelessly. Such an exemplary scenarioillustrates that information corresponding to different respectivesensors may flow through different respective types of information pathsto the ultimate processor of such information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., body suit)health-monitoring system 900, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The system 900 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics of the exemplary systems 100-800 illustrated at FIGS.1-8 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 900 comprises a garment 901 (e.g., a body suit).The garment 901 and comprises health sensors integrated into the garment901. For example, the garment 901 comprises a body temperature sensor961 and breath rate (or respiratory rate) sensor 962, which may shareany or all characteristics with similar sensors 661 and 662 of thegarment 601 illustrated in FIG. 6 and discussed previously. Also forexample, the garment 901 comprises an impact sensor 982 integrated withthe garment 901 near the right ankle. Additionally, for example, thegarment 901 comprises a location sensor 991 (e.g., GPS based, cellulartriangulation based, etc.) integrated with the garment 901 near theright shoulder. The exemplary sensors of the garment 901 may, forexample, be conductively and/or communicatively coupled to the centrallocation 950 for convenient access to such sensors by monitoring,analyzing and/or communicating circuitry, and/or for access toelectrical power if needed.

As discussed previously, health analysis may comprise analyzing signalsassociated with any of a variety of different types of sensors incombination. As another illustration of such combination, the garment901 comprises two physiological sensors (i.e., the body temperaturesensor 961 and breath rate sensor 962), an environmental sensor (i.e.,the location sensor 991) and a situational (or activity) sensor (i.e.,the impact sensor 982).

In an exemplary scenario, monitoring, analyzing and/or communicatingcircuitry may operate to access body temperature sensor signals (orinformation), breathing rate sensor signals (or information), locationsensor signals (or information) and impact signals (or information) atthe central location 950. As illustrated in FIG. 8, however, access tosuch signals (or information) may occur via different respective typesof communication links with different respective sensor circuitry.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., body suit)health-monitoring system 1000, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The system 1000 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics of the exemplary systems 100-900 illustrated at FIGS.1-9 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 1000 comprises a garment 1001 (e.g., a body suit)and a non-garment arm-band 1095. The garment 1001 and the non-garmentarmband 1095 each comprise health sensors. For example, the garment 1001comprises ECG sensors 1010, 1021, 1022, 1031 and 1032, which may shareany or all characteristics with similar sensors 110, 121, 122, 131 and132 of the garment 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously.The exemplary sensors of the garment 1001 may, for example, beconductively and/or communicatively coupled to the central location 1050for access to such sensors by monitoring, analyzing and/or communicatingcircuitry.

As discussed previously, health analysis may comprise analyzing signalsassociated with any of a variety of different types of sensors incombination, where some of such sensors may be incorporated into agarment and others of such sensors may be off-garment. As anotherillustration of such combination, the non-garment armband 1095 comprisesan impact sensor Im that operates to determine stepping rate and/orforce. Such a sensor Im may, for example, provide insight into the typeof activity in which the wearer of the armband 1095 is engaging.Additionally, the armband 1095 comprises an air temperature and humiditysensor TH that operates to determine air temperature and humidity. Sucha sensor TH may, for example, provide insight into the environmentalconditions in which a wearer of the armband 1095 is performing. Thearmband sensors are coupled to a wireless transmitter in the armband1095, which in turn is communicatively coupled to the central location1050 of the garment 1001 via a wireless RF communication link 1051.Monitoring, analyzing and/or communicating circuitry (discussed later)may, in turn, operate to access the impact and air information from thearmband 1095 sensors at the central location 1050 of the garment 1001.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary garment (e.g., shirt)health-monitoring system 1100, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The system 1100 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics of the exemplary systems 100-1000 illustrated at FIGS.1-10 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system 1100 comprises a garment 1101 (e.g., a shirt) and anon-garment device 1195 that may be worn with (e.g., attached to or warnseparately from) the garment 1101. The garment 1101 and the non-garmentdevice 1195 each comprise health sensors. For example, the garment 1101comprises ECG sensors 1110, 1121 and 1122, which may share any or allcharacteristics with similar sensors 310, 321 and 322 of the garment 301illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed previously. The exemplary sensors ofthe garment 1101 may, for example, be conductively and/orcommunicatively coupled to the central location 1150 for convenientaccess to such sensors (e.g. access to signals and/or informationassociated with such sensors) by monitoring, analyzing and/orcommunicating circuitry.

As discussed previously, health analysis may comprise analyzing signalsassociated with any of a variety of different types of sensors incombination, where some of such sensors may be incorporated into agarment and others of such sensors may be off-garment. As anotherillustration of such combination, the non-garment device 1195 comprisesa weather sensor Wx that operates to determine characteristics ofweather in which a wearer of the device 1195 may be operating. Such asensor Wx may, for example, be a self-contained weather-sensing deviceor may comprise communication circuitry with which to communicate withweather stations (e.g., via a wireless communication link 1196).Additionally, the device 1195 comprises a location sensor Lo (e.g., GPSbased, cellular triangulation based, etc.) that operates to determinethe location of the device 1095. Such location may, for example, beexpressed in any number of dimensions, including for example, longitude,latitude, elevation, etc.

The device 1195 is communicatively coupled to the central location 1150of the garment 1100 by one or more conductors 1151 (e.g., integratedinto the garment 1150 and/or separate from the garment). In variousexemplary scenarios, some of which will be discussed below, monitoring,analyzing and/or communication circuitry may operate to access sensorinformation in any of a variety of manners. In the exemplary system 1100of FIG. 11, the device 1195 operates to access cardiac sensorinformation at the central location 1150 of the garment 1101 via the oneor more conductors 1151. The device 1195 may also access location and/orweather information internally, and/or for access to electrical power ifneeded.

Also, as will be discussed in more detail below, various aspects of thepresent invention include the communication of health information (e.g.,sensor readings, sensor analysis results, warning information,instructions for the subject to follow, etc.) with entities distant fromthe subject. Such communication may, for example, occur between thesystem 1100 (or device 1195) and health care professionals, emergencyservices, health care databases, a user's home computer, etc. Suchcommunication may, for example, be performed by the device 1195 via oneor more wireless communication links 1196.

As explained above, the previous discussions of FIGS. 1-11 providedvarious non-limiting examples of garment/sensor configurations and/oroperation. It should be noted that such examples are for illustrativepurposes only and are not meant to be limiting. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any of such specific examples unless explicitlyclaimed.

The discussion of various aspects of the present invention will nowshift to various manners of monitoring, analyzing and/or communicatinginformation related to various garment sensor systems. In particular,the following discussions of FIGS. 12-14 will now provide variousnon-limiting examples of such monitoring, analyzing and/orcommunicating. It should be noted that such examples are forillustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of any of such examples unlessexplicitly claimed.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 1200 (e.g.,in a garment system) for acquiring and/or processing electrocardiograminformation of a user, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

The exemplary method 1200 may begin executing at step 1210. TheExemplary method 1200 may begin executing for any of a variety of causesand/or conditions, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.For example, the method 1200 may begin executing in response to a localuser command to begin. For example, a wearer of a garment comprisinghealth sensors may enter a user command to begin execution. Also forexample, the method 1200 may begin executing in response to receiving acommand from a remote location. For example, a health care provider, afamily member, emergency personnel, and the like may remotely command asystem implementing the method 1200 to begin execution.

Additionally for example, the exemplary method 1200 may begin executingin response to detecting that a subject is wearing a portion and/or allof a health-monitoring system implementing the method 1200. For example,the method 1200 may begin executing in response to detecting that asubject is wearing a garment comprising integrated sensors, wearingand/or using an electronic device that implements a portion or all ofthe exemplary method 1200, etc. Also for example, the exemplary method1200 may begin executing in response to user initiation of a computerapplication, the execution of which causes a processor to implement aportion or all of the exemplary method 1200.

Additionally for example, the exemplary method 1200 may begin executingin response to a timer. For example, the method 1200 may begin executionwhen the time-of-day enters a particular window. For example, the method1200 may begin executing at the beginning of a time window associatedwith high stress and/or physical activity (e.g., during rush hour,during a regular morning workout, etc. Also for example, the method 1200may begin execution on a periodic basis (e.g., every 10 minutes, etc.).

Further for example, the exemplary method 1200 may begin executing inresponse to detected physiological signals. For example, the exemplarymethod 1200 may begin executing in response to detecting an elevatedbody temperature and/or heart rate. Also for example, the exemplarymethod 1200 may begin executing in response to detecting a respirationrate that is higher than a particular threshold and/or lower than aparticular threshold. Additionally for example, the exemplary method1200 may begin executing in response to detecting a signal from aneurological-sensor indicating that the subject is experiencing painand/or a exceeding a particular level of pain.

Also for example, the exemplary method 1200 may begin executing inresponse to detected environmental characteristics. For example, themethod 1200 may begin executing in response to detecting a user movingfrom a relatively cool air-conditioned environment to a relatively hothumid outdoor environment. Also for example, the method 1200 may beginexecuting in response to detecting that the user has moved into fullsunlight and/or has been in positioned in full sunlight for a particularamount of time. Additionally for example, the method 1200 may beginexecuting in response to detecting outside air temperature above and/orbelow respective thresholds. For example, the method 1200 may beginexecuting in response to detecting that an elevation above a particularlevel. Also for example, the method 1200 may begin executing in responseto a detected location (e.g., in response to detecting a locationassociated with an exercise facility, a location associated with ahigh-stress and/or high-excitement environment, etc.).

Also for example, the exemplary method 1200 may begin executing inresponse to detected situational (or activity) characteristics. Forexample, the method 1200 may begin executing in response to detectingthat a subject is running, in response to detecting that a subject islifting a relatively heavy weight, in response to detecting that asubject has not moved for a particular amount of time, in response todetermining that a subject is unconscious and/or dreaming, etc.

Still further for example, the exemplary method 1200 may begin executingin response to any combination of the above mentioned causes and/orconditions. In general, the method 1200 may begin executing in responseto any of a variety of causes and/or conditions. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular causes and/or conditions, orcombinations thereof, unless specifically claimed.

The exemplary method 1200 may, at step 1220, comprise receivingelectrocardiogram (ECG) signals from garment sensors. Step 1220 maycomprise receiving such signals in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.

The previous discussion of FIGS. 1-11 provided many examples of ECGsensors incorporated into garments. Step 1220 may comprise receiving ECGsignals associated with any or all of such sensors. In general, when thefollowing discussion discusses receiving and/or processing a sensorsignal, such reference generally refers to any signal associated with asensor. Such a signal may, for example, comprise a raw unprocessedsignal from an electrode, such a signal may comprise a data signalcommunicating digital data associated with a sensor reading or othersensor information, etc.

For example, step 1220 may comprise receiving ECG signals at a commonlocation of a garment. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, conductive paths(e.g., conductive fibers, conductive strips, etc.) may be formed into agarment to provide access to all ECG electrodes at a single convenientlocation. In such a scenario, step 1220 may comprise receiving (e.g.,with ECG circuitry located at or near the central location) respectiveECG signals associated with each of a plurality of ECG electrodesintegrated into a garment. Additionally for example, step 1220 maycomprise receiving a wireless signal communicating ECG sensor readinginformation (e.g., a wireless signal describing one or more voltagepotential differences, etc.). In such a wireless scenario, step 1220 maycomprise receiving a wireless signal communicated in accordance with anyof a variety of standard and/or proprietary communication protocols(e.g., body area network protocols, personal area network protocols,local area network protocols, metropolitan area network protocols,cellular communication network protocols, satellite communicationnetwork protocols, Internet protocols, etc.). Such a protocol may, forexample, comprise specific features (e.g. messages, message sequences,packet structures, packet fields, etc.) that are specifically adapted tothe communication of ECG information and/or other health-relatedinformation.

For example, step 1220 may comprise receiving the ECG signalsseparately, combined into a single data structure or packet, combinedwith signals associated with other physiological and/ornon-physiological sensors, etc. For example, step 1220 may comprisereceiving the ECG signals at a device integrated with the garment. Alsofor example, as exemplified at FIGS. 10 and 11, step 1220 may comprisereceiving the ECG signals at a device separate from the garment but wornby (or positioned near) the user. Additionally, as exemplified at FIG.11 (e.g., via a communication link 1196), step 1220 may comprisereceiving the ECG signals at a location remote from the user (e.g., atuser equipment at a remote premises, at a health care facility, at anemergency vehicle, at a doctor's cellular telephone, etc.).

In general, step 1220 may comprise receiving electrocardiogram (ECG)signals from garment sensors. Accordingly, the scope of various aspectsof the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular manner of receiving such signals or by characteristics of anyparticular type of signal unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method 1200 may, at step 1250, comprise analyzing the ECGsignals (e.g., ECG signals received at step 1220) to ascertain thecardiovascular health of the garment wearer. Step 1250 may compriseanalyzing the ECG signals in any of a variety of manners, non-limitingexamples of which will now be provided. Additional examples of suchanalysis may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/492,278,filed Jul. 25, 2006, and titled “Mobile Communication Device and OtherDevices with Cardiovascular Monitoring Capability”, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

Step 1250 will now be exemplified by various different types of analysisthat may be performed. The following discussion of step 1250 is dividedinto non-limiting exemplary sub-steps for the sake of illustrativeclarity. Step 1250 may, for example, comprise any or all characteristicsof such exemplary sub-steps.

Step 1250 may, for example at sub-step 1251, comprise analyzing receivedECG information. Such analysis may, for example, comprise analyzing theECG information in light of various cardiac pathologies. Suchpathologies may, for example and without limitation, comprise variousischemic diseases, acute coronary syndrome (ischemic chest pain), acutemyocardial infarction (heart attacks), arrhythmias tachyarrhythmias(fast rate disturbances), bradyarrhythmias (slow rate disturbances),etc. Although the following discussion generally provides illustrationsof processing cardiac information in light of such pathologies, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of particular pathologies or pathologies in general.For example, various aspects of the present invention may apply equallyto non-pathology cardiac areas. For example and without limitation,various aspects of the present invention may also apply to cardiacinformation related to general health monitoring, fetus monitoring,medication effectiveness monitoring, etc.

Cardiac (or ECG) signals may, for example, comprise a primary component(e.g., frequency component) and a variety of residual components (orharmonic components). Sub-step 1251 may, for example, comprise analyzingcardiac information by, at least in part, analyzing a primary componentof a cardiac signal. For example, sub-step 1251 may comprise analyzingthe cardiac information by, at least in part, comparing a primarycomponent characteristic of the cardiac signal to one or more primarycomponent characteristics associated with a known cardiac pathology.Such a primary component characteristic may, without limitation,comprise frequency, signal level, signal shape or statisticalcharacteristics (e.g., medium value, mean value, variance, standarddeviation, etc.).

Sub-step 1251 may, for example, comprise processing current cardiacinformation and previous cardiac information (e.g., generallycorresponding to a first cardiac signal and at least a second cardiacsignal). For example and without limitation, sub-step 1251 may compriseanalyzing cardiac information by determining a difference between acurrent cardiac signal (e.g., a primary component thereof) and at leastone previous cardiac signal or baseline signal (e.g., a primarycomponent thereof) and determining the existence of a cardiac pathologybased, at least in part, on the determined difference. For example,sub-step 1251 may comprise determining the existence of a cardiacpathology by comparing the determined difference to at least onedifference characteristic associated with a known cardiac pathology.

In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, sub-step 1251 may comprisecomparing changes in a cardiac signal to known pathologic patterns(e.g., ST-segment depression or ST-segment elevation). As mentionedpreviously, analysis of cardiac signal (or information) changes overtime may comprise analyzing changes in heart rate or other heartcharacteristics (e.g., to monitor effectiveness of anti-arrhythmicmedication, blood pressure medication or other medication).

Sub-step 1251 may, for example, comprise processing current and previouscardiac information corresponding to any of a variety of time intervals.For example and without limitation, sub-step 1251 may comprisedetermining short-term or long-term differences in a cardiac signal andto analyze such short-term or long-term differences.

Sub-step 1251 may, for example, comprise processing more than twocardiac signals. For example and without limitation, the sub-step 1251may comprise analyzing cardiac information by determining a trendbetween a current cardiac signal (e.g., a primary component thereof) andat least two previous cardiac signals (e.g., respective primarycomponents thereof) and determining the existence of a cardiac pathologybased, at least in part, on the determined trend. For example, sub-step1251 may comprise determining the existence of a cardiac pathology bycomparing the determined trend to at least one trend characteristicassociated with a known cardiac pathology.

Sub-step 1251 may also, for example, comprise analyzing cardiacinformation by, at least part, analyzing one or more residual (orharmonic) components of a cardiac signal. For example, sub-step 1251 maycomprise comparing one or more residual component characteristics of thecardiac signal to one or more residual component characteristicsassociated with a known cardiac pathology. Such residual characteristicsmay, without limitation, comprise frequency, signal level, signal shapeor statistical characteristics (e.g., median value, mean value,variance, standard deviation, etc.).

As mentioned previously, sub-step 1251 may, for example, compriseprocessing current cardiac information and previous cardiac information(e.g., generally corresponding to a first cardiac signal and at least asecond cardiac signal). For example and without limitation, sub-step1251 may comprise analyzing cardiac information by determining adifference between a current cardiac signal (e.g., at least one residualcomponent thereof) and at least one previous cardiac signal (e.g., atleast one residual component thereof) and determining the existence of acardiac pathology based, at least in part, on the determined difference.For example, sub-step 1251 may comprise determining the existence of acardiac pathology by comparing the determined difference to at least onedifference characteristic associated with a known cardiac pathology.

Also as mentioned previously, sub-step 1251 may, for example, compriseprocessing more than two cardiac signals. For example and withoutlimitation, sub-step 1251 may comprise analyzing cardiac information bydetermining a trend between a current cardiac signal (e.g., at least oneresidual component thereof) and at least two previous cardiac signals(e.g., respective residual components thereof) and determining theexistence of a cardiac pathology based, at least in part, on thedetermined trend. For example, sub-step 1251 may comprise determiningthe existence of a cardiac pathology by comparing the determined trendto at least one trend characteristic associated with a known cardiacpathology.

Sub-step 1251 may, for example, comprise performing spectral analysis ofvarious cardiac signals (or signals derived therefrom). For example andwithout limitation, the sub-step 1251 may comprise performing spectralanalysis on a cardiac signal by, at least in part, comparing thefrequency spectrum of the cardiac signal (e.g., a primary component orresidual components thereof) with a frequency spectrum associated with aknown cardiac pathology. Further for example, sub-step 1251 may comprisedetermining a difference (or trend) between a current cardiac signal andat least one previous cardiac signal, and determining the existence of acardiac pathology based, at least in part, on spectral analysis of thedetermined difference (or trend).

As mentioned previously, various types of cardiac (or ECG) informationmay be obtained using audio monitoring or acoustical sensing (ordetecting) devices (e.g., in lieu of or in addition to electricalelectrodes). Sub-step 1251 may, for example and without limitation,comprise processing such information to determine various cardiovascularcharacteristics. For example and without limitation, suchcharacteristics may comprise characteristics relating to blood pressure,contractility, blood flow and turbulence, etc. As discussed previously,cardiac information may be acquired from any of a variety of sources.Such information (e.g., digital and/or analog signals) may be analyzed(e.g., at sub-step 1251) to determine any of a large variety of cardiacconditions. Accordingly, the scope of various analysis aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by characteristics of cardiac(or ECG) information obtained from any particular source (e.g., anelectrode source, audio monitoring source, etc.).

Sub-step 1251 may, for example, comprise determining an action to takebased on results of cardiac (or ECG) signal analysis. For example,sub-step 1251 may comprise, based at least in part on cardiac signalanalysis, determining to generate (or initiate generation of) an alertmessage. For example and without limitation, the alert message maycomprise characteristics of an alert message directed to the subjectwearing the garment comprising the cardiac sensors. For example,sub-step 1251 may comprise utilizing any of a variety of user interfacemechanisms (e.g., integrated in the garment, on a proximate portableelectronic device of the user, etc.) to generate such an alert message.

Also for example, sub-step 1251 may comprise communicating (or causingthe communication of) an alert message to another system. For example,sub-step 1251 may comprise communicating with a physician's system, asystem of a health-care facility, a system of an emergency responseteam, a 911 emergency service, etc. Step 1251 may, for example, utilizeone or more communication interface modules of the system implementingthe exemplary method 1200 to perform such communication.

Additionally for example, sub-step 1251 may comprise, based at least inpart on cardiac signal analysis, conducting a two-way communicationand/or control session with a remote system. In a non-limiting exemplaryscenario, sub-step 1251 may comprise providing user health (e.g.,ECG-related) information to a health-care facility system and/orhealth-care facility personnel, who may in turn communicate informationback to the user system implementing the method 1200. For example, ahealth-care facility may communicate requests to the system implementingthe method 1200 for additional information (e.g., additional cardiacinformation, user information, baseline ECG information, additionalinformation from other physiological and/or non-physiological sensors,location information, etc.). In response to such requests, the systemimplementing the method 1200 may acquire, analyze and/or communicateadditional requested information to the requestor.

Also for example, sub-step 1251 may comprise establishing a line ofcommunication by which a health-care facility may communicateinstruction information to the user and/or a person near the user (e.g.,behavior instructions, first aid instructions, etc.). Additionally forexample, a physician and/or emergency technician may conduct a two-wayvoice communication with a user of the system implementing the method1200.

Sub-step 1251 may, for example, be performed by one or more processors.Such processor(s) may, for example, be integrated in same garment as theECG sensors and/or integrated in a different garment. Such processor(s)may also, for example, be located in a device (e.g., a personalelectronic device) separate from the garment. Additionally, suchprocessor(s) may be located at a premises (e.g., at a user's personalcomputing system, at a health-care provider's facility, in an emergencyvehicle, etc.).

In general sub-step 1251 may comprise analyzing cardiac signals (e.g.,ECG signals received at step 1220) to ascertain the cardiovascularhealth of the garment wearer. Accordingly, the scope of various aspectsof the present invention should not be limited by characteristics ofparticular types of cardiac (or ECG) signals and/or characteristics ofany particular manner of processing such signals unless explicitlyclaimed.

Step 1250 may, for example at sub-step 1252, comprise storing receivedcardiac (or ECG) information (e.g., as received at step 1220) and/oranalysis results information corresponding to such received cardiacinformation (e.g., as determined at sub-step 1251). Sub-step 1252 maycomprise performing such storage in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which will now be presented.

The stored information may, for example, include raw sensor data, theresults of processed sensor data, information exchanged with the userregarding such sensor data, information exchanged with a remote site(e.g., a health care facility, emergency medical service, etc.),summaries of sensor data, baseline comparison data, etc.

For example, sub-step 1252 may comprise storing such information in amemory (e.g., a volatile and/or non-volatile memory device) that isintegrated with the same garment in which the ECG sensors are integratedand/or integrated in a different garment. Sub-step 1252 may comprisestoring such information in a user's personal off-garment databaseand/or storing such information in a central healthcare database (e.g.,associated with one or more health care providers).

Such stored information may, for example, be retained for later analysisand/or for later communication to another device. For example, sub-step1252 may comprise storing such information in a memory that may be readby another device that is within personal area network wireless range ofthe memory. Also for example, sub-step 1252 may comprise storing suchinformation in a memory that may be read by another device via ahardwire port (e.g., a USB and/or FireWire port).

Sub-step 1252 may, for example, comprise storing information in responseto a determination made at sub-step 1251 to store such information. In anon-limiting exemplary scenario, sub-step 1251 may comprise determiningthat a particular monitored heart characteristic (e.g., ECGcharacteristics) should be stored for later analysis and/or monitoredover a period of time. In such exemplary scenario, sub-step 1252 maycomprise performing the information storage identified at sub-step 1251.Sub-step 1251 may also, for example, comprise storing information inresponse to receiving a request from a remote system (e.g., ahealth-care facility, a physician, an emergency response service, etc.)to acquire and/or store such information.

In general, sub-step 1252 comprises storing received cardiac (or ECG)information (e.g., as received at step 1220) and/or analysis resultsinformation corresponding to such received cardiac information (e.g., asdetermined at sub-step 1251). Accordingly, the scope of various aspectsof the present invention should not be limited by any particular memorylocation or type, and/or by any particular manner of performing suchinformation storage unless explicitly claimed.

Step 1250 may, for example at sub-step 1255, comprise interfacing with auser regarding cardiac (or ECG) information and/or other relatedinformation. Sub-step 1255 may comprise performing such user interfacingin any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will nowbe presented. Various examples of such user interaction were alsopresented above.

Sub-step 1255 may, for example, comprise providing an alert to a user(e.g., the garment wearer) of the system implementing the method 1200.Such alert may, for example, be an audio alert, video alert and/orphysical/tactile alert. For example, in an exemplary scenario in whichsub-step 1251 analyzes ECG information and identifies a potentialemergency situation, sub-step 1255 may comprise outputting an alert tothe user.

In another exemplary scenario, for example in response to analysisperformed at sub-step 1251, sub-step 1255 may comprise providingbehavioral instructions to the user. For example, sub-step 1255 maycomprise audibly and/or visibly outputting instructions to the userregarding steps to take to minimize risk (e.g., sit down, lie down,breathe deeply, slow down, walk, take a particular drug, dial 911, drinkwater, etc.). Also for example, sub-step 1255 may similarly providefirst aid information to the user or another person near the user (e.g.,CPR instructions, directions to cool down the user, inhaler directions,etc.).

In another exemplary scenario, sub-step 1255 may comprise conducting atwo-way communication (e.g., audibly, textually, visually, etc.) withthe user and/or a person near the user. For example, in response to apotentially dangerous cardiac condition detected at sub-step 1251,sub-step 1255 may comprise establishing a two-way communication link bywhich the user and emergency technicians may communicate. Suchcommunication link establishment may, for example, comprise initiating a911 call, initiating a direct phone call to a subject's cardiologist,etc.

Sub-step 1255 may, for example, comprise providing ECG results to auser. For example, sub-step 1255 may comprise outputting a graphicaldisplay of present ECG readings, a graphical display of ECG informationthat caused generation of an alert, etc. Sub-step 1255 may also, forexample, comprise providing ECG analysis results to a user. For example,such results may be provided upon request by the user and/orautomatically without interaction with the user. In such a scenario,sub-step 1255 may also comprise presenting historical ECG analysisresults to a user so that a user may compare previous results to presentresults.

In yet another exemplary scenario, sub-step 1255 may comprise providinga user interface by which a user may request additional cardiac testing(e.g., ECG testing), by which a user may define testing, by which a usermay input information requested by the system implementing the method1200, etc. Also for example, since health information may be regarded assensitive, sub-step 1255 may comprise interfacing with a user regardingthe communication of user-health information (e.g., ECG information) toa particular destination for such information.

Additional examples of the communication of health-related informationwith a user may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/492,278,filed Jul. 25, 2006, and titled “Mobile Communication Device and OtherDevices with Cardiovascular Monitoring Capability”, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

In general, sub-step 1255 may comprise interfacing with a user regardingcardiac (or ECG) information and/or other related information.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of any particular manner ofinterfacing with a user and/or any particular type of user interfaceinformation unless explicitly claimed.

Step 1250 may, for example at sub-step 1256, comprise interfacing with athird party regarding cardiac (or ECG) information and/or other relatedinformation (e.g., as received at step 1220, as analyzed at sub-step1251 and/or as stored at step 1252). Sub-step 1256 may compriseperforming such third-party interfacing in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which will now be presented. Various examplesof third party interaction were also presented above.

For example, sub-step 1256 may comprise interfacing with the third partyin a manner that is transparent to the user (e.g., the garment wearer).In an exemplary scenario, sub-step 1256 may comprise interfacing with anambulatory rehabilitation specialist while the subject is walking in thepark, lifting weights at home, performing rehabilitation exercises at agym, etc. Such communication may, for example, be two-way communication.For example, sub-step 1256 may comprise receiving behavioralinstructions from the third party and providing such behavioralinstructions to the user (e.g., at sub-step 1255), and transmittingcardiac sensor (ECG electrode) signal information from the user'sgarment to the third party while the user is implementing the behavioralinstructions.

Additional examples of the communication of health-related informationwith a third party may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/492,278, filed Jul. 25, 2006, and titled “Mobile Communication Deviceand Other Devices with Cardiovascular Monitoring Capability”, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety byreference.

In another exemplary scenario, for example in a scenario in whichsub-step 1251 determines that a serious emergency situation exists,sub-step 1256 may comprise initiating an emergency call on behalf of theuser. During such an emergency communication, for example, sub-step 1256may comprise communicating information describing the cardiac emergency,describing the sensor signal and/or analysis results that caused theinitiation of the emergency communication, communicating user identityand/or location information, communicating user medical historyinformation, communicating information identifying the user'sphysician(s), etc.

In such an emergency scenario, sub-step 1256 may also comprise receivingsensing and/or analysis requests from the third party regarding theuser. For example, the third party may request that the systemimplementing the method 1200 identify sensing capabilities of the systemand request that the system provide any desired sensor informationwithin the capabilities of the system. For example, sub-step 1256 maycomprise receiving a request from an emergency response team forrespiratory rate information and body temperature information, a requestfor continual ECG results communication to the third party, etc.

In yet another exemplary scenario, sub-step 1256 may comprise routinely(e.g., in non-emergency situations) interacting with a health-carefacility to upload cardiac (or ECG) monitoring and/or analysis resultsto the health-care facility. For example, in such a scenario, healthcare technicians and/or physicians can routinely monitor progress of asubject that is not necessarily in danger. For example, for a personundergoing rehab for joint surgery or a person suffering from influenza,sub-step 1256 may comprise periodically (e.g., every four hours)uploading ECG information to a health-care provider. Similarly, for anelderly person without any serious medical condition, who merely desiresregular monitoring, sub-step 1256 may comprise occasionally (e.g., onceper week, whenever a shirt comprising integrated ECG electrodes is worn,etc.) uploading ECG information to a third party (e.g., a health-careprovider, a family member, a care giver, etc.).

In general, sub-step 1256 may comprise interfacing with a third partyregarding cardiac (or ECG) information and/or other related information(e.g., as received at step 1220, as analyzed at sub-step 1251 and/or asstored at step 1252). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular manner of interfacing with a third party and/or anyparticular type of third party interface information unless explicitlyclaimed.

Step 1250 may, for example at sub-step 1258, comprise acquiringadditional ECG information from the garment sensors (or other sensors)for additional analysis and/or communication. Sub-step 1258 may compriseperforming such acquisition in any of a variety of manners, non-limitingexamples of which will now be presented.

As discussed above, a determination may be made to acquire additionalsensor information (e.g., from sensors on the garment, from sensors onanother garment, from off-garment sensors, etc.). Such a determinationmay, for example, be made in response to analysis performed at sub-step1251, in response to a user request receive at sub-step 1255, inresponse to a third party request received at sub-step 1256, etc.

In response to such a determination, sub-step 1258 may compriseacquiring the additional sensor information. For example, sub-step 1258may comprise continuing to monitor in-garment ECG sensors to acquireadditional ECG information for the subject. Also for example, sub-step1258 may comprise acquiring any of a variety of other types of sensorinformation, as identified and/or requested. In such an exemplaryscenario, sub-step 1258 may then comprise communicating the additionalacquired sensor (e.g., ECG) information to the requesting entity.

In general, sub-step 1258 may comprise acquiring additional ECGinformation from the garment sensors (or other sensors) for additionalanalysis and/or communication. Accordingly, the scope of various aspectsof the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular manner of performing such acquisition or of any particulartype of additional acquired sensor information unless explicitlyclaimed.

Step 1250 may, for example at sub-step 1259, comprise acquiringadditional user health information (e.g., from other sensors, frommemory, etc.) for additional analysis and/or communication. Sub-step1259 may comprise performing such acquisition in any of a variety ofmanners, non-limiting examples of which will now be presented.

As discussed above, a determination may be made to acquire additionalsensor information (e.g., from sensors on the garment, from sensors onanother garment, from off-garment sensors, etc.). Such a determinationmay, for example, be made in response to analysis performed at sub-step1251, in response to a user request receive at sub-step 1255, inresponse to a third party request received at sub-step 1256, etc. Inresponse to such a determination, sub-step 1259 may comprise acquiringthe additional information.

Such additional information may, for example, comprise information inaddition to signals and/or information corresponding to on-garment ECGsensors. Such information may comprise any of a variety ofcharacteristics, many of which were provided above. Such informationmay, for example, comprise information corresponding to otherphysiological and/or non-physiological sensors (e.g., different from theon-garment ECG sensors). Such information may, for example, compriseuser identify and/or location information, medical history information,previously stored baseline ECG information, medical contact information,emergency family contact information, user allergy information, userinsurance information, etc. Acquiring such information may, for example,comprise reading and/or analyzing sensor information, retrieving suchinformation from a local and/or remote memory, acquiring suchinformation directly from a user via user interface, etc.

Sub-step 1258 may then, for example, comprise providing such acquiredinformation to an entity that requested such information (e.g., a moduleinternal to the system implementing the method 1200, the user, a thirdparty, etc.).

In general, sub-step 1258 may comprise acquiring additional user healthinformation (e.g., from other sensors, from memory, etc.) for additionalanalysis and/or communication. Accordingly, the scope of various aspectsof the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular manner of performing such acquisition or of any particulartype of additional acquired information unless explicitly claimed

The exemplary method 1200 may, at step 1290, comprise performingcontinued operation. Such continued operation may comprise any of avariety of characteristics. For example, the characteristics of suchcontinued operation may be determined based, at least in part, on theresults of the analysis performed at step 1250. Various examples of suchoperation have already been presented. For example, step 1290 maycomprise acquiring and/or analyzing additional physiological and/ornon-physiological information, initiating and/or maintaining acommunication with a third party, communication alert and/or instructioninformation with a user of a system implementing the method 1200 (e.g.,the wearer of a garment in which the ECG sensors and/or the systemimplementing the method 1200 are integrated), etc.

The previous discussion of FIG. 12 focused primarily on monitoring,analyzing and/or communicating regarding cardiac information related toECG sensors integrated in a garment worn by a user (or subject). Itshould be noted that the previous discussion of ECG sensors may bereadily applied to a garment with any of a variety of different types ofhealth-monitoring sensors integrated into the garment.

Turning next to FIG. 13, such figure is a flow diagram illustrating anexemplary method 1300 (e.g., in a garment system) for acquiring and/orprocessing health information of a user, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. While the previous discussion of FIG.12 generally focused on cardiac (or ECG) sensors integrated into agarment (and the monitoring, analyzing and/or communicating associatedtherewith), the discussion of FIG. 13 will generally concern a garmentin which a plurality of different types of sensors are integrated (andthe monitoring, analyzing and/or communicating associated therewith).

The exemplary method 1300 may begin executing at step 1310. Theexemplary method 1300 may begin executing for any of a variety of causesand/or conditions. Such causes and/or conditions may, for example, shareany or all characteristics with the causes and/or conditions discussedpreviously with regard to step 1210 of the exemplary method 1200illustrated in FIG. 12.

The exemplary method 1300 may, at step 1320, comprise receiving signalsfrom a plurality of different types of sensors integrated into agarment. Step 1320 may comprise receiving such signals in any of avariety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided.For example, step 1320 may share any or all characteristics with step1220 of the exemplary method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 and discussedpreviously.

The previous discussion of FIGS. 1-11 provided many examples ofdifferent types of sensors incorporated into garments. Step 1320 maycomprise receiving signals associated with any or all of such sensors.In general, when the following discussion discusses receiving and/orprocessing a sensor signal, such reference generally refers to anysignal associated with a sensor. Such a signal may, for example,comprise a raw unprocessed signal from an electrode or other sensor,such a signal may comprise a data signal communicating digital dataassociated with a sensor reading or other sensor information, etc.

For example, step 1320 may comprise receiving sensor signals at a commonlocation of a garment. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, conductive paths(e.g., conductive fibers, conductive strips, etc.) may be formed into agarment to provide access to all sensors integrated into a garment at asingle convenient location (e.g., a central location). In such ascenario, step 1320 may comprise receiving (e.g., with sensor-monitoringcircuitry located at or near the central location) respective sensorsignals associated with each of a plurality of different sensors anddifferent types of sensors integrated into a garment.

Additionally for example, step 1320 may comprise receiving one or morewireless signals communicating sensor reading information (e.g.,wireless signal(s) describing one or more physiological and/ornon-physiological characteristics measured at one or more respectivesensors integrated into the garment, etc.). In such a wireless scenario,step 1320 may comprise receiving such wireless signal(s) communicated inaccordance with any of a variety of standard and/or proprietarycommunication protocols (e.g., body area network protocols, personalarea network protocols, local area network protocols, metropolitan areanetwork protocols, cellular communication network protocols, satellitecommunication network protocols, Internet protocols, etc.). Such aprotocol may, for example, comprise specific features (e.g. messages,message sequences, packet structures, packet fields, etc.) that arespecifically adapted to the communication of sensor-specific informationand/or other health-related information.

For example, step 1320 may comprise receiving the sensor signalsseparately, combined into a single data structure or packet, combinedwith signals associated with other physiological and/ornon-physiological sensors, etc. For example, step 1320 may comprisereceiving the sensor signals at a device integrated with the garment.Also for example, as exemplified at FIGS. 10 and 11, step 1320 maycomprise receiving the sensor signals at a device separate from thegarment but worn by (or positioned near) the user. Additionally, asexemplified at FIG. 11 (e.g., via a communication link 1196), step 1320may comprise receiving the sensor signals at a location remote from theuser (e.g., at user equipment at a remote premises, at a health carefacility, at an emergency vehicle, at a doctor's cellular telephone,etc.).

In general, step 1320 may comprise receiving signals from a plurality ofdifferent types of sensors integrated into a garment. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of any particular manner of receiving such signals orby characteristics of any particular type of signal unless explicitlyclaimed.

The exemplary method 1300 may, at step 1350, comprise analyzing thesensor signals (e.g., sensor signals received at step 1320) to ascertainthe health (e.g., the cardiovascular health) of the garment wearer. Step1350 may comprise analyzing the sensor signals in any of a variety ofmanners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. Step 1350may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 1250 of theexemplary method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 and discussed previously.

Step 1350 will now be exemplified by various different types of analysisthat may be performed. The following discussion of step 1350 is dividedinto non-limiting exemplary sub-steps for the sake of illustrativeclarity. Step 1350 may, for example, comprise any or all characteristicsof such exemplary sub-steps.

Step 1350 may, for example at sub-step 1351, comprise analyzing receivedsensor information. Such analysis may, for example, comprise analyzingthe received sensor information in light of various pathologies (e.g.,in light of various cardiac pathologies). Sub-step 1351 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary sub-step1251 of the method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 and discussed previously.

Such previous discussion of sub-step 1251 generally focused on ECGsensor analysis. Such analysis techniques are also applicable to othertypes of physiological sensor analysis. Sub-step 1351 may be viewed asadding an additional dimension to the analysis discussed with regard tosub-step 1251. For example, since sub-step 1351 comprises analyzingreceived sensor information from a plurality of different types ofsensors integrated into the garment, in an exemplary scenario involvingcardiac (or ECG) sensor processing, sub-step 1351 may comprise analyzingsuch cardiac (or ECG) sensor signals in a particular context.

For example, when analyzing cardiac (e.g., ECG) information, aparticular set of cardiac sensor characteristics may be of concern in afirst physiological and/or non-physiological context but not of concernin a second such context. For example, an increase in heart rate while aperson is at rest may be of more concern than an elevated hear ratewhile a person is in motion (e.g., while undergoing physical therapy,walking, running, swimming, etc.). Also for example, a sudden increasein body temperature may be of concern while a person is sleeping, butmight not be of particular concern when a user is walking outdoors inhot sunny weather. The analysis of signals of different types ofphysiological sensor, the analysis of signals of both physiologicalsensors and environmental sensors, the analysis of signals of bothphysiological sensors and situational (or activity) sensors, and/or theanalysis of signals of all of physiological sensors, environmentalsensors and situational sensors, provides greater insight into thehealth state of the subject.

As another non-limiting example, the previous discussion of sub-step1251 discussed comparing a current ECG with a previous (or baseline)ECG. In the scenario of sub-step 1351, such comparison may includeselecting a baseline ECG for the comparison based on the determinedcontext of the current ECG measurements. For example, a subject may havea plurality of baseline ECGs associated with the subject, eachcorresponding to a particular context. For example, a subject may have abaseline ECG associated with a sleep state, a baseline ECG associatedwith a moderate exercise state, a baseline ECG associated with anextreme exercise state, a baseline ECG associated with a rush-hourtraffic situation, a baseline ECG associated with a rest state at aparticular elevation, a baseline ECG associated with walking in hot andhumid weather, etc. In such a scenario, sub-step 1351 may compriseanalyzing signals from non-ECG sensors (e.g., impact sensors,temperature sensors, respiration rate sensors, location sensors, etc.)to identify a context and then a context-dependent baseline ECG withwhich to compare a current ECG measurement.

For example, in an exemplary scenario, sub-step 1351 may compriseanalyzing various non-ECG sensors and determine that the user is walkingoutside on a cool day. Sub-step 1351 may then, for example, compriseselecting a particular baseline ECG with which to compare a current ECG.In another exemplary scenario, sub-step 1351 may comprise analyzingvarious non-ECG sensors and determine that the user is shoveling snow.Sub-step 1351 may then, for example, comprise selecting a particularbaseline ECG with which to compare a current ECG. Additionally, forexample, in the snow-shoveling scenario, sub-step 1351 may compriseidentifying snow-shoveling as an inherently dangerous cardiovascularactivity, causing an increased level of analytical scrutiny and/ortriggering communication with a health care facility for real-timemonitoring by a health-care professional.

Also, as discussed previously with regard to sub-step 1251, variousforms of cardiac analysis may comprise determining a trends in cardiacsignals over time (e.g., long-term and/or short-term). Sub-step 1351may, for example, comprise determining such a trend in cardiac signalsin context. For example, sub-step 1351 may comprise determining acardiac trend in the context of moderate exercise, in the context ofsleeping, in the context of working, in the context of watchingtelevision, etc. Such consistency of context in trend analysis mayincrease the accuracy and/or reliability of cardiac analysis.

Similarly, context-dependent analysis may be incorporated into any orall of the cardiac analysis techniques discussed previously with regardto step 1251. Additionally, though the previous discuss generallyconcerned the analysis of cardiac (or ECG) signals in context, suchcontext dependent analysis need not include cardiac analysis. Forexample, as illustrated at FIG. 9, a garment 901 may comprise integratedsensors that do not include cardiac sensors. In such an exemplaryscenario, step 1351 may comprise analyzing respiratory rate (fromrespiratory rate sensor 962) and body temperature (from body temperaturesensor 961) in light of a particular context ascertained by analyzingsensor information from the impact sensor 982 and location informationfrom the location sensor 991. For example, step 1351 may comprisedetermining that increased breath rate and body temperature are normalin view of determining that the user is currently running. Conversely,step 1351 may comprise determining that an alert message should beissued to a health-care provider with an increased respiratory rate isdetected with no apparent situational reason for such increase (e.g.,the user located in his living room in front of the television and notmoving).

Sub-step 1351 may, for example, comprise determining an action to takebased on results of sensor signal analysis. For example, sub-step 1351may comprise, based at least in part on sensor signal analysis,determining to generate (or initiate generation of) an alert message.For example and without limitation, the alert message may comprisecharacteristics of an alert message directed to the subject wearing thegarment comprising the cardiac sensors. For example, sub-step 1351 maycomprise utilizing any of a variety of user interface mechanisms (e.g.,integrated in the garment, on a proximate portable electronic device ofthe user, etc.) to generate such an alert message.

Also for example, sub-step 1351 may comprise communicating (or causingthe communication of) an alert message to another system. For example,sub-step 1351 may comprise communicating with a physician's system, asystem of a health-care facility, a system of an emergency responseteam, a 911 emergency service, etc. Step 1351 may, for example, utilizeone or more communication interface modules of the system implementingthe exemplary method 1300 to perform such communication.

Additionally for example, sub-step 1351 may comprise, based at least inpart on sensor signal analysis, conducting a two-way communicationand/or control session with a remote system. In a non-limiting exemplaryscenario, sub-step 1351 may comprise providing user health (e.g.,sensor-related) information to a health-care facility system and/orhealth-care facility personnel, who may in turn communicate informationback to the user system implementing the method 1300. For example, ahealth-care facility may communicate requests to the system implementingthe method 1300 for additional information (e.g., additional sensorinformation from other physiological and/or non-physiological sensors,user information, baseline sensor information, location information,etc.). In response to such requests, the system implementing the method1300 may acquire, analyze and/or communicate additional requestedinformation to the requestor.

Also for example, sub-step 1351 may comprise establishing a line ofcommunication by which a health-care facility may communicateinstruction information to the user and/or a person near the user (e.g.,behavior instructions, first aid instructions, etc.). Additionally forexample, a physician and/or emergency technician may conduct a two-wayvoice communication with a user of the system implementing the method1300.

Sub-step 1351 may, for example, be performed by one or more processors.Such processor(s) may, for example, be integrated in same garment as theECG sensors and/or integrated in a different garment. Such processor(s)may also, for example, be located in a device (e.g., a personalelectronic device) separate from the garment. Additionally, suchprocessor(s) may be located at a premises (e.g., at a user's personalcomputing system, at a health-care provider's facility, in an emergencyvehicle, etc.).

In general sub-step 1351 may comprise analyzing sensor signals (e.g.,sensor signals received at step 1320) to ascertain the health of thegarment wearer. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of particular typesof sensor signals and/or characteristics of any particular manner ofprocessing such signals unless explicitly claimed.

Step 1350 may, for example at sub-step 1352, comprise storing receivedsensor information (e.g., as received at step 1320) and/or analysisresults information corresponding to such received cardiac information(e.g., as determined at sub-step 1351). Sub-step 1352 may compriseperforming such storage in any of a variety of manners, non-limitingexamples of which will now be presented.

The stored information may, for example, include raw sensor data, theresults of processed sensor data, information exchanged with the userregarding such sensor data, information exchanged with a remote site(e.g., a health care facility, emergency medical service, etc.),summaries of sensor data, baseline comparison data, etc.

For example, sub-step 1352 may comprise storing such information in amemory (e.g., a volatile and/or non-volatile memory device) that isintegrated with the same garment in which the sensors are integratedand/or integrated in a different garment. Sub-step 1352 may comprisestoring such information in a user's personal off-garment databaseand/or storing such information in a central healthcare database (e.g.,associated with one or more health care providers).

Such stored information may, for example, be retained for later analysisand/or for later communication to another device. For example, sub-step1352 may comprise storing such information in a memory that may be readby another device that is within personal area network wireless range ofthe memory. Also for example, sub-step 1352 may comprise storing suchinformation in a memory that may be read by another device via ahardwire port (e.g., a USB and/or FireWire port).

Sub-step 1352 may, for example, comprise storing information in responseto a determination made at sub-step 1351 to store such information. In anon-limiting exemplary scenario, sub-step 1351 may comprise determiningthat one or more particular monitored characteristics (e.g.,physiological and/or non-physiological characteristics) should be storedfor later analysis and/or monitored over a period of time. In suchexemplary scenario, sub-step 1352 may comprise performing theinformation storage identified at sub-step 1351. Sub-step 1351 may also,for example, comprise storing information in response to receiving arequest from a remote system (e.g., a health-care facility, a physician,an emergency response service, etc.) to acquire and/or store suchinformation.

In general, sub-step 1232 comprises storing received sensor information(e.g., as received at step 1320) and/or analysis results informationcorresponding to such received sensor information (e.g., as determinedat sub-step 1351). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by any particular memorylocation or type, and/or by any particular manner of performing suchinformation storage unless explicitly claimed.

Step 1350 may, for example at sub-step 1355, comprise interfacing with auser regarding sensor information and/or other related information.Sub-step 1355 may, for example, comprise performing such userinterfacing in any of a variety of manners. Sub-step 1355 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary sub-step1255 of the exemplary method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 and discussedpreviously.

Step 1350 may, for example at sub-step 1356, comprise interfacing with athird party regarding sensor information and/or other relatedinformation (e.g., as received at step 1320, as analyzed at sub-step1351 and/or as stored at step 1352). Sub-step 1356 may compriseperforming such third-party interfacing in any of a variety of manners.Sub-step 1356 may, for example, share any or all characteristics withthe exemplary sub-step 1256 of the exemplary method 1200 illustrated inFIG. 12 and discussed previously.

Step 1350 may, for example at sub-step 1358, comprise acquiringadditional user health sensor information from the garment sensors (orother sensors) for additional analysis and/or communication. Sub-step1358 may comprise performing such acquisition in any of a variety ofmanners. Sub-step 1358 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics with the exemplary sub-step 1258 of the exemplary method1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 and discussed previously.

Step 1350 may, for example at sub-step 1359, comprise acquiringadditional user health information (e.g., from other sensors, frommemory, etc.) for additional analysis and/or communication. Sub-step1359 may comprise performing such acquisition in any of a variety ofmanners. Sub-step 1359 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics with the exemplary sub-step 1259 of the exemplary method1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 1300 may, at step 1390, comprise performingcontinued operation. Such continued operation may comprise any of avariety of characteristics. For example, the characteristics of suchcontinued operation may be determined based, at least in part, on theresults of the analysis performed at step 1350. Various examples of suchoperation have already been presented. For example, step 1390 maycomprise acquiring and/or analyzing additional physiological and/ornon-physiological information, initiating and/or maintaining acommunication with a third party, communication alert and/or instructioninformation with a user of a system implementing the method 1300 (e.g.,the wearer of a garment in which the ECG sensors and/or the systemimplementing the method 1300 are integrated), etc.

The previous discussion of FIG. 13 focused primarily on monitoring,analyzing and/or communicating regarding information related to aplurality of different types of sensors (e.g., health-monitoringsensors) integrated in a garment worn by a user (or subject). It shouldbe noted that the previous discussion of such sensors may be readilyapplied to a plurality of garments with any of a variety of differenttypes of health-monitoring sensors integrated into the garments.

Turning next to FIG. 14, such figure is a flow diagram 1400 illustratingan exemplary method (e.g., in a garment system) for acquiring and/orprocessing health information of a user, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. While the previous discussion of FIG.12 generally focused on cardiac (or ECG) sensors integrated into agarment (and the monitoring, analyzing and/or communicating associatedtherewith), and the discussion of FIG. 13 generally concerned a garmentin which a plurality of different types of sensors were integrated (andthe monitoring, analyzing and/or communicating associated therewith),the discussion of FIG. 14 will generally concern a garment system inwhich sensors (e.g., health-monitoring sensors) are integrated in aplurality of garments worn by the subject.

The exemplary method 1400 may begin executing at step 1410. Theexemplary method 1400 may begin executing for any of a variety of causesand/or conditions. Such causes and/or conditions may, for example, shareany or all characteristics with the causes and/or conditions discussedpreviously with regard to step 1210 of the exemplary method 1200illustrated in FIG. 12.

The exemplary method 1400 may, at step 1420, comprise receiving signalsfrom sensors integrated into a plurality of garments. Step 1420 maycomprise receiving such signals in any of a variety of manners,non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. For example, step1420 may share any or all characteristics with step 1320 of theexemplary method 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13 and discuss previously andwith step 1220 of the exemplary method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 anddiscussed previously.

The previous discussion of FIGS. 1-11 provided many examples of sensors(e.g., both physiological and/or non-physiological sensors incorporatedinto a plurality of garments. Step 1420 may comprise receiving signalsassociated with any or all of such sensors. In general, when thefollowing discussion discusses receiving and/or processing a sensorsignal, such reference generally refers to any signal associated with asensor. Such a signal may, for example, comprise a raw unprocessedsignal from an electrode or other sensor, such a signal may comprise adata signal communicating digital data associated with a sensor readingor other sensor information, etc.

For example, step 1420 may comprise receiving sensor signals at a commonlocation of a single garment. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, conductivepaths (e.g., conductive fibers, conductive strips, etc.) may be formedinto a garment to provide access to all sensors integrated into one ormore garments at a single convenient location (e.g., a centrallocation). In such a scenario, step 1420 may comprise receiving (e.g.,with sensor-monitoring circuitry located at or near the centrallocation) respective sensor signals associated with each of a pluralityof sensors and integrated into a plurality of garments. As anon-limiting example, FIG. 5 shows a garment system 500 that couples ECGelectrodes 531 and 532 of a second garment 502 to a central location ofa first garment 501.

Additionally for example, step 1420 may comprise receiving one or morewireless signals communicating sensor reading information (e.g.,wireless signal(s) describing one or more physiological and/ornon-physiological characteristics measured at one or more respectivesensors integrated into the garment, etc.). A non-limiting exemplaryscenario comprising such wireless communication is shown at FIG. 8,which shows an impact sensor 881 and communication of informationassociated with such impact sensor 881 by a wireless RF communicationdevice 882.

In such a wireless scenario, step 1420 may comprise receiving suchwireless signal(s) communicated in accordance with any of a variety ofstandard and/or proprietary communication protocols (e.g., body areanetwork protocols, personal area network protocols, local area networkprotocols, metropolitan area network protocols, cellular communicationnetwork protocols, satellite communication network protocols, Internetprotocols, etc.). Such a protocol may, for example, comprise specificfeatures (e.g. messages, message sequences, packet structures, packetfields, etc.) that are specifically adapted to the communication ofsensor-specific information and/or other health-related information.

For example, step 1420 may comprise receiving the sensor signalsseparately, combined into a single data structure or packet, combinedwith signals associated with other physiological and/ornon-physiological sensors, etc. For example, step 1420 may comprisereceiving the sensor signals at a device integrated with one or more ofthe plurality of garments. Also for example, as exemplified at FIGS. 10and 11, step 1420 may comprise receiving the sensor signals at a deviceseparate from the garment(s) but worn by (or positioned near) the user.Additionally, as exemplified at FIG. 11 (e.g., via a communication link1196), step 1420 may comprise receiving the sensor signals at a locationremote from the user (e.g., at user equipment at a remote premises, at ahealth care facility, at an emergency vehicle, at a doctor's cellulartelephone, etc.).

In general, step 1420 may comprise receiving signals from sensorsintegrated into a plurality of garments. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of any particular manner of receiving such signals or bycharacteristics of any particular type of signal and/or sensor unlessexplicitly claimed.

The exemplary method 1400 may, at step 1450, comprise analyzing thesensor signals (e.g., sensor signals received at step 1420) to ascertainthe health (e.g., the cardiovascular health) of the garment wearer. Step1450 may comprise analyzing the sensor signals in any of a variety ofmanners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. Step 1450may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 1350 of theexemplary method 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13 and discussed previouslyand with step 1250 of the exemplary method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12and discussed previously.

Step 1450 will now be exemplified by various different types of analysisthat may be performed. The following discussion of step 1450 is dividedinto non-limiting exemplary sub-steps for the sake of illustrativeclarity. Step 1450 may, for example, comprise any or all characteristicsof such exemplary sub-steps.

Step 1450 may, for example at sub-step 1451, comprise analyzing receivedsensor information. Such analysis may, for example, comprise analyzingthe received sensor information in light of various pathologies (e.g.,in light of various cardiac pathologies). Sub-step 1451 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary sub-step1351 of the method 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13 and discussed previouslyand exemplary sub-step 1251 of the method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12and discussed previously.

The previous discussion of sub-step 1251 generally focused on ECG sensoranalysis, and the previous discussion of sub-step 1351 generally focusedon different types of sensors integrated into a single garment. Suchanalysis techniques are also applicable to other types of sensoranalysis (e.g., analysis involving sensors integrated into a pluralityof garments). Sub-step 1451 may be viewed as adding garment flexibilityto the analysis discussed with regard to sub-steps 1351 and 1251. Forexample, though sub-step 1251 generally concerned cardiac (or ECG)sensors integrated into a single garment, sub-step 1451 broadens suchscenario to one in which the cardiac (or ECG) sensors may be integratedinto a plurality of garments (e.g., as exemplified in a non-limitingmanner at FIG. 5). Also for example, though sub-step 1351 generallyconcerned different types of sensor integrated into a single garment,sub-step 1451 broadens such scenario to one in which the different typesof sensors may be integrated into a plurality of garments (e.g., asexemplified in a non-limiting manner at FIG. 8).

As with sub-step 1351, the exemplary sub-step 1451 provides thecapability to analyze physiological sensor signals in an environmentaland/or situational (or activity) context. As with sub-step 1251, theexemplary sub-step 1451 provides the capability to analyze ECGinformation (e.g., performing a 12-lead ECG analysis), albeit utilizingECG electrodes integrated into a plurality of garments.

Sub-step 1451 may, for example, be performed by one or more processors.Such processor(s) may, for example, be integrated in one or more of thesame garments as the garments in which the sensors are integrated,and/or may be integrated in a different garment. Such processor(s) mayalso, for example, be located in a device (e.g., a personal electronicdevice) separate from the garments. Additionally, such processor(s) maybe located at a premises (e.g., at a user's personal computing system,at a health-care provider's facility, in an emergency vehicle, etc.).

In general sub-step 1451 may comprise analyzing sensor signals (e.g.,sensor signals received at step 1420) to ascertain the health of thegarment wearer. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of particular typesof sensor signals and/or characteristics of any particular manner ofprocessing such signals unless explicitly claimed.

Step 1450 may, for example at sub-step 1452, comprise storing receivedsensor information (e.g., as received at step 1420) and/or analysisresults information corresponding to such received cardiac information(e.g., as determined at sub-step 1451). Sub-step 1452 may compriseperforming such storage in any of a variety of manners, non-limitingexamples of which will now be presented.

The stored information may, for example, include raw sensor data, theresults of processed sensor data, information exchanged with the userregarding such sensor data, information exchanged with a remote site(e.g., a health care facility, emergency medical service, etc.),summaries of sensor data, baseline comparison data, etc.

For example, sub-step 1452 may comprise storing such information in amemory (e.g., a volatile and/or non-volatile memory device) that isintegrated with the same garment(s) in which the sensors are integratedand/or integrated in a different garment. In an exemplary scenario, amemory on a first garment may be utilized to store informationpertaining to sensors that are integrated into a plurality of garments.Sub-step 1452 may comprise storing such information in a user's personaloff-garment database and/or storing such information in a centralhealthcare database (e.g., associated with one or more health careproviders).

Such stored information may, for example, be retained for later analysisand/or for later communication to another device. For example, sub-step1452 may comprise storing such information in a memory that may be readby another device that is within personal area network wireless range ofthe memory. Also for example, sub-step 1452 may comprise storing suchinformation in a memory that may be read by another device via ahardwire port (e.g., a USB and/or FireWire port).

Sub-step 1452 may, for example, comprise storing information in responseto a determination made at sub-step 1451 to store such information. In anon-limiting exemplary scenario, sub-step 1451 may comprise determiningthat one or more particular monitored characteristics (e.g.,physiological and/or non-physiological characteristics) should be storedfor later analysis and/or monitored over a period of time. In suchexemplary scenario, sub-step 1452 may comprise performing theinformation storage identified at sub-step 1451. Sub-step 1451 may also,for example, comprise storing information in response to receiving arequest from a remote system (e.g., a health-care facility, a physician,an emergency response service, etc.) to acquire and/or store suchinformation.

In general, sub-step 1432 comprises storing received sensor information(e.g., as received at step 1420) and/or analysis results informationcorresponding to such received sensor information (e.g., as determinedat sub-step 1451). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by any particular memorylocation or type, and/or by any particular manner of performing suchinformation storage unless explicitly claimed.

Step 1450 may, for example at sub-step 1455, comprise interfacing with auser regarding sensor information and/or other related information.Sub-step 1455 may, for example, comprise performing such userinterfacing in any of a variety of manners. Sub-step 1455 may, forexample, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary sub-steps1255 and 1355 of the exemplary methods 1200 and 1300 illustrated inFIGS. 12-13 and discussed previously.

Step 1450 may, for example at sub-step 1456, comprise interfacing with athird party regarding sensor information and/or other relatedinformation (e.g., as received at step 1420, as analyzed at sub-step1451 and/or as stored at step 1452). Sub-step 1456 may compriseperforming such third-party interfacing in any of a variety of manners.Sub-step 1456 may, for example, share any or all characteristics withthe exemplary sub-steps 1256 and 1356 of the exemplary methods 1200 and1300 illustrated in FIGS. 12-13 and discussed previously.

Step 1450 may, for example at sub-step 1458, comprise acquiringadditional user health sensor information from the garment sensors (orother sensors) for additional analysis and/or communication. Sub-step1458 may comprise performing such acquisition in any of a variety ofmanners. Sub-step 1458 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics with the exemplary sub-steps 1258 and 1358 of theexemplary methods 1200 and 1300 illustrated in FIGS. 12-13 and discussedpreviously.

Step 1450 may, for example at sub-step 1459, comprise acquiringadditional user health information (e.g., from other sensors, frommemory, etc.) for additional analysis and/or communication. Sub-step1459 may comprise performing such acquisition in any of a variety ofmanners. Sub-step 1459 may, for example, share any or allcharacteristics with the exemplary sub-steps 1259 and 1359 of theexemplary methods 1200 and 1300 illustrated in FIGS. 12-13 and discussedpreviously.

The exemplary method 1400 may, at step 1490, comprise performingcontinued operation. Such continued operation may comprise any of avariety of characteristics. For example, the characteristics of suchcontinued operation may be determined based, at least in part, on theresults of the analysis performed at step 1450. Various examples of suchoperation have already been presented. For example, step 1490 maycomprise acquiring and/or analyzing additional physiological and/ornon-physiological information, initiating and/or maintaining acommunication with a third party, communication alert and/or instructioninformation with a user of a system implementing the method 1400 (e.g.,the wearer of a garment in which the ECG sensors and/or the systemimplementing the method 1400 are integrated), etc.

The previous discussion of FIGS. 12-14 provided various non-limitingexamples of garment-integrated sensor monitoring, analyzing and/orcommunicating. It should be noted that such examples were forillustrative purposes only and were not meant to be limiting.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of any of such examples unlessexplicitly claimed.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary processing system1500 operable to acquire and/or process health information (e.g., in agarment system), in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. The exemplary system 1500 (or one or more modules thereof)may, for example, operate to perform any or all of the exemplaryfunctionality discussed with regard to FIGS. 1-14.

The exemplary system 1500 may, for example, be implemented in a singledevice. Such a single device may, for example, be integrated into agarment (e.g., the same one or more garments in which the sensors ofinterest are integrated). Also for example, such a single device may bea stand-alone dedicated personal health-monitoring device. Additionallyfor example, such a single device may be a personal electronic device(e.g., a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a handheldcomputer, a portable email device, a portable music playing device,etc.). Further for example, such a single device may be a personalcomputer system (e.g., a desktop computer system, a laptop or notebookcomputer system, a handheld computer system, etc.). Still further forexample, such a single device may be a centralized computing device(e.g., located at a health-care facility, emergency service center,emergency vehicle, physician office, etc.).

The exemplary system 1500 may also, for example, be implemented in adistributed system (e.g., with dispersed components). In other words,the various components and/or modules of the system 1500 might not beco-located in a single electrical device. For example, various modulesof the system 1500 may be integrated in a plurality of differentgarments. Also for example, a first set of modules of the system 1500may be integrated in a garment (e.g., sensor information acquisitionmodules and communication modules), and a second set of modules of thesystem 1500 may be implemented in a personal electronic device (e.g.,information processing modules and/or other communication modules).Additionally for example, a first set of modules of the system 1500 maybe integrated in a garment (e.g., sensor information acquisition modulesand communication modules), and a second set of modules of the system1500 may be implemented in a personal computing system (e.g.,information processing modules and/or other communication modules).

Additionally for example, a first set of modules of the system 1500 maybe integrated in a garment (e.g., sensor information acquisition modulesand communication modules), and a second set of modules of the system1500 may be implemented in a centralized system (e.g., informationprocessing modules and/or other communication modules). Further forexample, a first set of modules of the system 1500 may be integrated ina garment (e.g., sensor information acquisition modules andcommunication modules), a second set of modules of the system 1500 maybe implemented in a personal electronic device (e.g., informationprocessing modules and/or other communication modules), and a third setof modules of the system 1500 may be implemented in a centralizedcomputing system (e.g., other information processing modules and/orstill other communication modules).

The following discussion will generally present the exemplary system1500 as being implemented in a personal electronic device (e.g.,communicatively couplable to one or more garments comprising integratedsensors and/or communicatively couplable to one or more centralizedcomputing systems). Note, however, that the scope of various aspects ofthe present invention should not be limited to specific implementationcharacteristics of the exemplary system 1500 (e.g., the location of thesystem 1500 and/or modules thereof) unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary system 1500 may, for example, comprise a plurality ofsensor communication ports 1520, 1522, 1524, 1525 and 1526 via which thesystem 1500 may communicate with a plurality of sensors. For example,the exemplary system 1500 comprises a health information acquisitionmodule 1510 that operates to acquire sensor signals and/or informationfrom sensors integrated into garments and/or other sensors. The healthinformation acquisition module 1510 may (e.g., via the communicationports) operate to perform any or all of the functionality discussedpreviously with regard to the acquisition of signals and/or informationfrom various sensors. For example and without limitation, the healthinformation acquisition module 1510 may operate to perform functionalityassociated with steps 1220, 1258 and 1259 of FIG. 12; steps 1320, 1328and 1329 of FIG. 13; and/or steps 1420, 1428 and 1429 of FIG. 14.

The manner in which the health information acquisition module acquiressuch signals and/or information depends on the type of sensor from whichsuch signals and/or information is obtained. For example, in variousscenarios discussed previously, the health information acquisitionmodule 1510 may operate to receive a raw unprocessed analog signal froma sensor (e.g., an analog voltage signal from an electrode). In otherexemplary scenarios, for example, the health information acquisitionmodule 1510 may operate to receive one or more signals from a sensorcommunicating data from such sensor.

The exemplary system 1500 may, for example, comprise one or morecommunication interface modules 1590 via which the system 1500 maycommunicate with a plurality of other systems utilizing wired and/orwireless communication. The health information acquisition module 1510may (e.g., via the communication interface modules 1590) operate toperform any or all of the functionality discussed previously with regardto the acquisition of non-sensor health-related information. For exampleand without limitation, the health information acquisition module 1510may operate to perform functionality associated with step 1259 of FIG.12, step 1329 of FIG. 13, and/or step 1429 of FIG. 14.

The manner in which the health information acquisition module acquiressuch non-sensor information depends on the nature of the source fromwhich such information is obtained and/or the nature of thecommunication network(s) communicatively coupling the system 1500 tosuch source. For example, in various scenarios discussed previously, thehealth information acquisition module 1510 may operate to receive suchinformation from a wired and/or wireless data communication network, awired and/or wireless telecommunication network, a wired and/or wirelesstelevision communication network, etc.

The exemplary system 1500 comprises a health information processingmodule 1550. Such processing module 1550 may, for example, comprisehardware and/or a combination of hardware and operating instructionsthat operate to perform any or all of the information processingfunctionality discussed herein. For example, the health informationprocessing module 1550 may operate to perform any or all of the analysisfunctionality discussed previously with regard to steps 1250 and 1251 ofFIG. 12, steps 1350 and 1351 of FIG. 13, and/or steps 1450 and 1451 ofFIG. 14.

The exemplary system 1500 also comprises a memory 1540. Such memory 1540may, for example, operate to store processor operating instructions,sensor analysis results, sensor data, user information, contactinformation, user instruction information, etc. Such memory 1540 may,for example, be utilized to perform any or all of the informationstorage functionality discussed here (e.g., with regard to steps 1252,1352 and 1452 of FIGS. 12-14).

The exemplary system 1500 additionally comprises one or more userinterface modules 1530. Such user interface module(s) 1530 may, forexample, operate to communicate information with a user (e.g., receiveinput information from such user and/or output information to suchuser). For example, the exemplary system 1500 (e.g., a processing modulethereof) may operate to utilize the user interface module(s) 1530 toimplement any or all of the user interface functionality discussedherein (e.g., with regard to steps 1255, 1355 and 1455 of FIGS. 12-14).

The exemplary system 1500 further comprises a health informationcommunication module 1560. Such health information communication module1560 may, for example, operate to communication health information withan external system (e.g., a third party computing system, a usercomputing system, etc.). For example, the health informationcommunication module 1560 may operate to utilize one or more of thecommunication interface modules 1590 to perform such communication. Thehealth information communication module 1560 may, for example, operateto utilize the communication interface module(s) 1590 to implement anyor all of the health information communication functionality discussedherein (e.g., with regard to steps 1256 and 1259 of FIG. 12, steps 1356and 1359 of FIG. 13, and steps 1456 and 1459 of FIG. 14).

The exemplary system 1500 comprises a processor module 1535 and a memory1540. As explained previously, the various modules of the system 1500may, for example, be implemented in hardware or a combination ofhardware and software. In an exemplary scenario, the system 1500comprises a processor module 1535 and memory 1540, which may, forexample, be utilized to implement any or all portions of the previouslydiscussed modules.

Though not illustrated in FIG. 15, the exemplary system 1500 may receiveelectrical power from any of a variety of sources. For example, in ascenario where at least one module of the exemplary system 1500 isintegrated into a garment (e.g., one or more of garments in whichsensors are integrated), a power supply for such at least one module maybe integrated into the garment and/or a power supply connection may beintegrated into such garment via which power may be supplied to such atleast one module by a source external to such garment. Also for example,in a scenario where at least one module of the exemplary system 1500 isintegrated into a personal electronic device (e.g., a cellulartelephone, personal computing device, etc.), a power supply for such atleast one module may located in such personal electronic device.Additionally, in a scenario where at least one module of the exemplarysystem 1500 is integrated into a garment (e.g., one or more of garmentsin which sensors are integrated) and at least one module of theexemplary system 1500 is integrated into a personal electronic device,such system may comprise independent power supplies (e.g., a powersupply integrated with such garment and a power supply of the personalelectronic device) or may comprise a single power supply (e.g., a powersupply of the personal electronic device) that is shared between thegarment and the personal electronic device.

As mentioned above, a health analysis system in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention may be implemented in any of a varietyof system configurations. Aspects of many of such configurations werediscussed previously. FIGS. 16 and 17 provide additional systemconfiguration examples.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary health analysis system1600, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Theexemplary system 1600 may, for example, comprise a garment 1601comprising integrated cardiac (e.g., ECG) sensors that are conductivelycoupled to a central location 1610 of the garment 1601 for convenientaccess. In the exemplary system 1600, a low-power transceiver (e.g., apersonal area network and/or body area network transceiver) is alsointegrated into the garment 1601 at the central location 1610. Circuitryat the central location 1610 operates to receive ECG signals from thevarious in-garment electrodes, prepare information describing suchsignals for transmission (e.g., characterizing such signals in terms ofa set of voltage potential differences), and utilize a low-powertransceiver to transmit ECG information to a personal electronic device1650 worn by the user (e.g., in a belt holster). The personal electronicdevice 1650 then, for example, operates as a medium-power transceiver,transmitting the ECG information to a laptop computer 1670, which thenanalyzes the ECG information. The laptop computer 1670 then communicatesanalysis results to other entities (e.g., to third parties, for example,health care providers, emergency services personnel, etc.) via acommunication network 1680.

The exemplary system 1600 may implement the various FIG. 15 modules inany of a variety of system components. For example, in a first exemplaryconfiguration, the laptop computer 1670 might share any or allcharacteristics with the exemplary system 1500 of FIG. 15. In such ascenario, the electronics at the central location 1610 might implementonly a portion of the functionality of the Health InformationAcquisition Module 1510 of the system 1500 of FIG. 15 (e.g.,functionality concerning the acquisition of ECG sensor signals andpreparing information descriptive of such signals for communication).Also, in such a scenario, the personal electronic device 1650 mightimplement only a portion of the functionality of the Health InformationAcquisition Module 1510 and U/I Module 1530 of the system 1500 of FIG.15 (e.g., functionality concerning the receipt and forwarding of sensorinformation to the laptop computer 1670 for processing).

In another exemplary configuration, the personal electronic device 1650may share any or all characteristics with the exemplary system 1500 ofFIG. 15. In such a scenario, the electronics at the central location1610 might implement only a portion of the functionality of the HealthInformation Acquisition Module 1510 of the system 1500 of FIG. 15 (e.g.,functionality concerning the acquisition of ECG sensor signals andpreparing information descriptive of such signals for communication).Also for example, in such a scenario, the personal laptop computer 1670might implement only a portion of the Communication Interface Module(s)1590 of the system 1500 of FIG. 15 (e.g., functionality concerningcommunication with a third party via a communication network 1680).

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary health analysis system1700, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Theexemplary system 1700 may, for example, comprise a garment 1701comprising integrated cardiac (e.g., ECG) sensors that are conductivelycoupled to a central location 1710 of the garment 1701 for convenientaccess. In the exemplary system 1700, a low-power transceiver (e.g., apersonal area network and/or body area network transceiver) is alsointegrated into the garment 1701 at the central location 1710. Circuitryat the central location 1710 operates to receive ECG signals from thevarious in-garment electrodes, prepare information describing suchsignals for transmission (e.g., characterizing such signals in terms ofa set of voltage potential differences), and utilize a low-powertransceiver to transmit ECG information to a personal electronic device1750 worn by the user (e.g., in a belt holster). The personal electronicdevice 1750 then, for example, operates as a high-power transceiver,transmitting the ECG information to a central system 1770 (e.g., acomputer system of a health care facility, physician, emergencytechnician, etc.) via a wireless communication link 1755, acommunication network access point 1781 (e.g., a cellular base station,wireless LAN access point, etc.), and a communication network 1780(e.g., cellular infrastructure, Internet, etc.), which then analyzes theECG information. The central computing system 1770 then communicatesanalysis results to other entities if necessary and/or communicatesinformation back to the wearer of the garment 1701.

The exemplary system 1700 may implement the various FIG. 15 modules inany of a variety of system components. For example, in a first exemplaryconfiguration, the central computer system 1770 might share any or allcharacteristics with the exemplary system 1500 of FIG. 15. In such ascenario, the electronics at the central location 1710 of the garment1701 might implement only a portion of the functionality of the HealthInformation Acquisition Module 1510 of the system 1500 of FIG. 15 (e.g.,functionality concerning the acquisition of ECG sensor signals andpreparing information descriptive of such signals for communication).Also, in such a scenario, the personal electronic device 1750 mightimplement only a portion of the functionality of the Health InformationAcquisition Module 1510 and U/I Module 1530 of the system 1500 of FIG.15 (e.g., functionality concerning the receipt and forwarding of sensorinformation to the central computer system 1770 for processing).

In another exemplary configuration, the personal electronic device 1750may share any or all characteristics with the exemplary system 1500 ofFIG. 15. In such a scenario, the electronics at the central location1710 of the garment 1701 might implement only a portion of thefunctionality of the Health Information Acquisition Module 1510 of thesystem 1500 of FIG. 15 (e.g., functionality concerning the acquisitionof ECG sensor signals and preparing information descriptive of suchsignals for communication). Also for example, in such a scenario, thecentral computer system 1770 might merely operate as a recipient ofsensor and/or analysis results from the personal electronic device 1750.

In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide a garmentand/or garment system with health-monitoring (e.g., cardiovascularmonitoring) capability.

Various aspects of the present invention may be implemented in variousdegrees of integration. For example, various modules may be integratedin an independent integrated circuit or may be integrated into otherintegrated circuits. For example and without limitation, various modulesdiscussed herein may be integrated into a baseband processor chip orcontroller chip. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by characteristics of anyparticular degree of integration.

Various aspects of the present invention were illustrated by referringto various functional modules. It should be noted that such modules maybe implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software.Additionally, various modules may share various submodules orsubcomponents. For example, a first module and a second module may sharea particular hardware component or software submodule. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of any particular type of module or by any arbitraryboundary between modules.

Further, various functional modules have been described herein utilizingthe terminology “operate to” when referring to functionality that thevarious functional modules might perform when operational. Thus, thephrase “operate to”, as used herein, is generally synonymous with“capable of”, “operational to”, “adapted to” and “configured to”.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain aspectsand embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A garment comprising: a plurality of ECG sensors; an interface thatoperates to provide communication between a processor and said ECGsensors. 2-32. (canceled)